New York: At least 164 people were killed and 971 were injured after Venezuela’s most powerful earthquake in more than a century, according to the country’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez. The 7.5 magnitude quake struck 39 seconds after a 7.2 magnitude foreshock.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US has already sent rescue teams to Venezuela and will deploy assets to the country’s main airport, which he said is “badly damaged.”
The earthquakes come at a dire time for Venezuela, which is deep in a political and financial crisis. Rodriguez said she is coordinating with the International Monetary Fund to create an initial assistance fund of $200 million, according to multiple reports.
Reports said that the US support is an affirmation of what Washington says is a new relationship, in particular, with President Donald Trump. And many observers believe this is an opportunity for him to further intensify relations with Venezuela.
Rodriguez said the earthquake had triggered about 30 aftershocks, while stressing that the government is currently coordinating resources nationwide to strengthen rescue efforts in the hardest-hit areas and has called on the private sector to help procure rescue equipment and supplies.
