United States aid planes have begun landing at a partially reopened airport in earthquake-stricken Venezuela, a US official said on Saturday, marking the first direct American relief flights into the country since the devastating tremors. The operation signals a further ramp-up of international logistics.
A US official confirmed on Saturday that American aid planes have begun landing at an airport in Venezuela that has been partially reopened following the devastating earthquakes that struck last week. The relief flights are the first direct American aircraft to deliver assistance since the tremors, which killed at least 164 people and left tens of thousands missing, according to published reports.
The development follows a series of US commitments: on Thursday, Washington pledged $150 million in aid; the US military earlier deployed warships, transport planes, and helicopters for logistical support. As The Zioneer reported, the international rescue effort has since swelled to 16 nations, with the EU activating its civil protection mechanism.
The partial reopening of the airport — which had been closed since the quakes — marks a key step in facilitating the inflow of foreign aid. The exact location and extent of the reopening were not immediately specified. The operation remains in its early stages; no further detail on the number of planes or cargo was provided by the official.
- DevelopingUS deploys warships, aircraft for logistical support to earthquake-hit Venezuela
- DevelopingUS pledges $150 million in aid to Venezuela after earthquake
- DevelopingVenezuela’s vice president says international rescue teams en route after earthquake
- StrongInternational rescue effort for Venezuela earthquake swells to 16 nations
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake