New Delhi: A consignment of relief material, medical supplies and a field hospital dispatched by India to quake-affected Venezuela under Operation Amistad has reached Caracas, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Sunday, adding that the assistance will reinforce the relief operations underway there, PTI reported.
The minister posted the update on X, saying: “Indian assistance reaches Venezuela. Confident that the Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment, will bolster ongoing post-earthquake relief efforts in the country. #OperationAmistad,” and also posted photographs of the delivery.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) provided details of the mission on X, reporting that “Responding with speed, reach and compassion, two #IndianAirForce C-17 Globemaster III aircraft completed a demanding 23-hour flight to Venezuela, covering an aerial distance of over 14,000 km from Delhi to Caracas.”
The IAF said the planes touched down at Maiquetía International Airport, Caracas, carrying 66 tonnes of humanitarian aid. The shipment included an Indian Army field hospital, in excess of 35 tonnes of relief material, medicines and medical equipment, and two BHISHM Cubes, underscoring what the service called India’s ability to “deliver hope across continents whenever called upon.”
“This transoceanic deployment reaffirms India’s growing role as a responsible first responder and a reliable humanitarian partner. #HADR #HumanitarianAssistance #HarKaamDeshKeNaam,” the IAF added.
Operation Amistad, launched by India to provide aid to earthquake-hit Venezuela, saw two IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft and a 41-member rescue team depart on Friday to support the country’s ongoing rescue and relief operations.
“India stands shoulder to shoulder with the government and the people of Venezuela during this difficult period,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on June 26.
Two powerful earthquakes — measured at 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude — struck on Wednesday evening, registering among the strongest temblors to hit Venezuela in more than a century and were felt across the region.
The death toll from the twin quakes rose to 1,430 on Saturday, and officials warned the number could increase as thousands remain unaccounted for.
