Ministry of National Defense assigns military relief team heading to earthquake-hit Venezuela
WVR - On the afternoon of June 28, the Ministry of National Defense held a conference to assign tasks to the forces participating in the earthquake aftermath recovery in Venezuela.
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| Military medical, border guard, and engineering forces prepare for departure. (Source: Vietnamnet) |
The force assisting Venezuela in overcoming the earthquake disaster consists of 82 members (26 officers, 56 professional soldiers), divided into four units.
Specifically, the command and agency unit includes 11 people, led by Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Rescue and Relief Department, as the head of the mission. The deputy heads are Major General Nguyen Duy Minh, Deputy Director of the Foreign Relations Department, and Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department.
The Engineering Rescue Team from the Engineering Corps comprises 31 people (5 officers, 26 professional soldiers) equipped with victim search devices, cutters, jacks, concrete drills, and other equipment.
The Medical Team consists of 30 people (9 officers, 21 professional soldiers) with full medical equipment, medicines, and supplies to perform the mission, including personnel from Military Hospital 103 (Military Medical Academy), Military Hospital 354 (General Department of Logistics and Technology), and Military Hospital 105 (General Department of Logistics and Technology).
The Search and Rescue Dog Team from Intermediate School 24, Border Guard Command, includes 10 people (1 officer, 9 professional soldiers) and 8 search and rescue dogs.
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| The force assisting Venezuela in overcoming the earthquake disaster consists of 82 members. (Source: Vietnamnet) |
The equipment and goods to be brought are estimated to weigh about 88 tons, including mission equipment and support for Venezuela. Among them, the goods for support and mission include 50 tons of dry food, 1,600 sets of tents, and 15 generators packed in 628 packages.
Currently, agencies are actively coordinating with airlines to arrange the earliest possible flight for the mission team. The total flight time to Maiquetia Airport is estimated to be about 24 hours.
The mission team will mobilize forces, vehicles, equipment, and logistics from Noi Bai Airport to Maiquetia Airport (approximately 40 km from Caracas) via civilian aircraft. Subsequently, the rescue team will continue from Maiquetia Airport to Caracas (the mission location) by car.
In Venezuela, the mission team will closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Defense Attaché Office in Venezuela and local authorities to determine the mission location.
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| General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of Defense, delivers a mission assignment speech. (Source: Vietnamnet) |
On behalf of the Central Military Commission's Standing Committee and the Ministry of Defense's leadership, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of Defense, emphasized that this is a noble international mission, vividly demonstrating the foreign policy and stance of the Party and State.
This mission also contributes to enhancing Vietnam's reputation and position in global disaster response activities and reaffirms the traditional, good friendship between Vietnam and Venezuela.
This is the fourth time the Vietnamese military has dispatched forces and equipment abroad for humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions. Among them, many military personnel have participated in assisting Turkey and Myanmar in overcoming earthquake disasters in 2023 and 2025, leaving a positive impression on international friends about Vietnam and its people.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong highly appreciated the agencies and units for their thorough and comprehensive preparation in terms of forces, spirit, organization, personnel, equipment, and logistics to be ready for the mission. He also urged the mission team to strictly adhere to the mission, build determination, uphold self-discipline, organizational discipline, solidarity, and proactively overcome difficulties to excellently complete the mission.
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| Leaders of the Central Military Commission, Ministry of Defense, along with officers and soldiers participating in the earthquake rescue mission in Venezuela. (Source: Vietnamnet) |
Emphasizing the heavy and dangerous nature of the earthquake aftermath recovery mission, General Nguyen Tan Cuong urged officers and soldiers to prioritize resolving relationships and closely coordinating with the Vietnamese People's Public Security forces, international forces, and local authorities and people.
The rescue team should actively assist the local people within permissible conditions; ensure discipline and safety for personnel and equipment; and comply with the laws of the host country and local regulations.
The military personnel should uphold the fine traditions and qualities of the "Ho Chi Minh Soldiers", combining actions to promote the image and position of the Vietnam People's Army, creating a positive impression with international friends and the government and people of Venezuela.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong stated that during the mission, with the spirit of "generals outside", leaders should proactively discuss and resolve issues within their authority; for issues beyond their authority, they should promptly report and seek guidance.
“In specific situations, the commander must confer and decide on the optimal solution without waiting for approval for each matter, as saving a minute could save a life. The commander must decide and take responsibility for their decision...,” General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized.
The General requested agencies to continue working with the airline to expedite departure, even overnight, as it is the "golden hour" for finding survivors.
