Vietnamese Rescue Team arrives in Venezuela, delivering a message of solidarity
WVR - According to Ambassador Vu Trung My, Vietnam's dispatch of rescue team, including officers and soldiers from the People's Army and the People's Public Security, along with various modern equipment, traveling tens of thousands of kilometers to Venezuela, is a testament to the steadfast and loyal friendship and solidarity that Vietnam consistently extends to its traditional friends. It is a practical sharing with the losses that the people of the host country are enduring.
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| Vietnamese Rescue Team arrives in Venezuela, delivering a message of solidarity: The rescue team of the Vietnamese military and police forces and relief goods at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela. (Photo: Duong Quang) |
At exactly 12:15 PM (local time) on June 29, the aircraft carrying the Vietnamese rescue team landed at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela.
The flight brought the rescue team of the Vietnamese military and police forces and relief goods to Venezuela to carry out a humanitarian mission, assisting in the aftermath of the severe earthquake that occurred on June 24.
On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My gave an interview to The World and Vietnam Report about the significance and message of this relief effort.
Ambassador, recently, 124 officers and soldiers from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security departed for Venezuela; with 8 service dogs and approximately 40 tons of specialized equipment and goods for search and rescue and humanitarian support. How do you assess this gesture?
First of all, I believe this is a very timely and meaningful decision by the Party, State, and Government of Vietnam. In the context of Venezuela facing one of the most severe seismic disasters in over a decade, Vietnam's swift dispatch of rescue forces to provide support vividly demonstrates the humanitarian tradition, the spirit of solidarity, and the international responsibility of the Vietnamese nation.
As of this afternoon (June 29), according to the announcement by Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, the earthquake has resulted in approximately 1,450 deaths, over 3,000 injuries, and many people still missing. The states of La Guaira and the capital Caracas are the hardest-hit areas. In such circumstances, every bit of support from international friends is extremely valuable to the Government and people of Venezuela.
Vietnam's dispatch of personnel, including officers and soldiers from the People's Army and the People's Public Security, along with various modern equipment, traveling tens of thousands of kilometers to Venezuela, is not merely a humanitarian support activity. It is also a testament to the steadfast and loyal friendship that Vietnam consistently extends to its traditional friends; it is a practical sharing with the losses that the people of Venezuela are enduring.
I believe this gesture will be recognized and appreciated by the Government and people of Venezuela and will become a beautiful mark in the history of friendly relations between the two countries.
What message does the deployment of relief diplomacy in Venezuela send about the compassionate and internationally responsible nature of Vietnam and its people, sir?
In my opinion, this activity carries multiple layers of meaning.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela) |
First, it is a message about a Vietnam that always values solidarity, ready to share with nations in difficulty, regardless of geographical distance or objective conditions. The Vietnamese people have experienced many wars and natural disasters and have also received invaluable assistance from international friends. Therefore, more than anyone else, we understand the value of solidarity and support in the most challenging times.
From a bilateral perspective, sending a rescue team to Venezuela reaffirms the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. This is a concrete, practical action to deepen the bonds between the peoples of the two nations, contributing to strengthening political trust and further expanding cooperation in various fields in the future.
Moreover, on a broader scale, Vietnam's proactive participation in international humanitarian relief activities also reflects a new development in the country's foreign policy. Vietnam is not only a nation actively integrating but also a responsible member of the international community, ready to join hands in addressing global challenges, especially natural disasters and non-traditional security issues.
Now, I believe that the image of dedicated Vietnamese officers and soldiers saving lives, working tirelessly and fearlessly on the other side of the globe, will help spread the image of a peaceful, humane, and compassionate Vietnam that always acts for humanity.
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| Ambassador Vu Trung My (in yellow) welcoming the team at the airport. (Photo: Duong Quang) |
What preparations has the embassy made to support the Vietnamese military and police task force during their mission in Venezuela?
Immediately after receiving instructions from home regarding the deployment of the rescue team to Venezuela, the embassy organized an urgent meeting with the agency's leadership, the Defense Attaché Office, and relevant departments to develop a reception plan, ensure logistics, and coordinate with Venezuelan authorities.
We promptly worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and related agencies of Venezuela to complete the necessary procedures, ensuring the team could quickly enter the country, access the mission area, and transport all specialized equipment and means.
Although the distance from Simón Bolívar International Airport to the capital Caracas and the main affected area is not too far, given the conditions of many damaged transport routes and the strict security control in the disaster area, organizing the reception of the team and bringing the forces to the scene requires very close coordination with the host side. To date, the embassy has completed the necessary procedures with Venezuelan authorities and is ready to send embassy staff and the Defense Attaché Office directly to Simón Bolívar International Airport to welcome the team.
Throughout the mission, the embassy will continue to serve as the focal point for coordination with local authorities, supporting translation, communication, logistics, security, and promptly addressing arising issues, so that our officers and soldiers can fully concentrate on their search and rescue and humanitarian support mission.
We are confident that with the thorough preparation of domestic agencies, the close coordination between the embassy and Venezuelan authorities, along with the responsibility, bravery, and experience of the Vietnamese People's Army and People's Public Security forces, the task force will excellently complete the assigned mission, contributing to spreading the beautiful image of Vietnam and its people in the hearts of the Venezuelan people.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
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| Border forces of the Vietnamese People's Army with their indispensable "assistants" ready for rescue operations in Venezuela. (Photo: Duong Quang) |
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Venezuela)
