US sends warships, planes and Marine general to Venezuela after earthquakes

Task & Purpose ^ | June 26, 2026 | Nicholas Slayton

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The United States is sending hundreds of personnel, two warships, fixed and rotary-winged aircraft, and search and rescue teams to Venezuela in the wake of Wednesday’s earthquake that killed more than 500 people. The first arrivals, with a Marine Corps general leading them, reached Caracas Thursday night.

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard, who previously commanded the 4th Marine Division, arrived in Caracas on Thursday.

The exact number of military personnel deploying hasn’t been disclosed, but is in the hundreds and is pulled from multiple branches.

Rotary-wing aircraft stationed in the region are flying in assistance teams. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys carried an airfield assessment team to Venezuela to assist in airlift operations. Additionally, three Army CH-47 Chinooks with Joint Task Force-Bravo flew supplies in as well. The force, based out of Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, is the U.S. military’s main response force in Central America and has routinely mobilized disaster relief missions, including one to Jamaica late last year after a hurricane flooded large parts of the island.

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TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: caracas; earthquakes; military; rescue; venezuela

[jagusafr]

I went to high school in Caracas 72-75. It was awesome.

[napscoordinator]

Sadly, that’s my thought, too.

[River Hawk]

Besides the obvious humanitarian motivation, this is strategically sound. Venezuela is now a de facto American protectorate and we need to take care of them. It will impress the Venezuelans also.

[ckilmer]

very unlikely that US aid will be paid out of the US treasury. the US currently controls venezuela’s money. so most likely the venezuelans will pay for US help from the receipts from their oil revenues.

[redinIllinois]

.