Trump pledges U.S. aid to Venezuela after earthquakes kill hundreds
10 reported
President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to deploy U.S. resources to earthquake-stricken Venezuela after back-to-back tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck near the country's northern coast, flattening buildings in the capital Caracas and prompting a state of emergency. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency in a national address on Wednesday night, and later said at least 164 people were killed and 971 were injured, according to Reuters. The U.S. Geological Survey issued two consecutive red alerts through its PAGER system, and estimated a 41% probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000 and a 17% chance they could reach 100,000. The authority also projected that the devastating earthquake could dent Venezuela's GDP by up to 7%. The State Department has already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to Venezuelans, including search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian resources, according to senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the War Department would play a logistical role in the disaster assistance as the earthquakes damaged Caracas' airport. The quakes are among the strongest to strike the country in the past century.
What’s reported
President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to deploy U.S. resources to earthquake-stricken Venezuela.
Back-to-back tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck near Venezuela's northern coast, flattening buildings in Caracas.
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night.
At least 164 people were killed and 971 were injured, according to Reuters.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 41% probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000 and a 17% chance they could reach 100,000.
The USGS projected the earthquake could dent Venezuela's GDP by up to 7%.
The State Department mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force, including search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian resources.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the War Department would play a logistical role as the earthquakes damaged Caracas' airport.
China, Brazil, and Qatar have sent or prepared humanitarian aid, according to Rodriguez.
The U.S. has remained Venezuela's largest oil buyer since January, with estimated US-controlled exports surging to $3.7 billion in April from $600 million in January.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez
Senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro (mentioned in context of prior military intervention)
Sources: CNBC
