Caracas, Venezuela — The first group of Mexican rescuers has arrived in Venezuela, consisting of more than 250 military personnel including medical staff, five search dogs, four aircraft, a drone, rescue tools, and medical supplies.
Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez welcomed the rescue team and supplies from Mexico to support search and rescue operations for survivors following the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that struck the South American country last Wednesday.
The latest figures released by Rodríguez report 589 deaths and 2,980 injured so far.
Images released show aircraft from the Mexican Defense Ministry (Sedena) departing for Venezuela, where the rescuers will participate in salvage efforts.
“Welcome Mexico to Venezuela! The rescue personnel from that country have arrived, along with supplies, to support the search for survivors and care for families affected by the earthquakes,” Rodríguez wrote on social media, accompanying the post with a video of the rescuers’ arrival.
A group of Mexican rescue and search experts arrived last night in the central state of Aragua to join the arduous rescue efforts after the strong earthquakes.
Rescuers from Spain, El Salvador, and Mexico have landed in Venezuela in recent hours to assist in victim rescue and care for the affected.
U.S. Marine Corps Major General Kevin J. Jarrard also arrived in the oil-rich country, according to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.
Mexican ‘Topos’ Seek to Join Rescue Efforts
Meanwhile, the Topos Aztecas, an independent expert rescue group specializing in disaster response, is seeking support and resources to travel to Venezuela to help those affected by the two strong earthquakes.
“We don’t care about colors or parties; what matters is getting there because our Venezuelan brothers are waiting, they are crying out for help, and our job is to arrive as quickly as possible,” said Héctor Méndez, the group’s leader, in an interview.
The Topos have directly asked Mexico’s president for assistance to travel to Venezuela and join rescue and salvage efforts. However, their request has not been answered. The government has only confirmed the deployment of military personnel.
