Col Alok Mathur, SM (Veteran)
Two powerful devastating Earthquakes hit the northern coastal state of La Guairá in Venezuela few hours before sunset on 24 June 2026. Caracas seismic centre recorded the first tremor of 7.2 magnitude at Richter scale and lasted for 30 seconds and followed by second Earthquake, more dangerous after about 30 minutes, which measured of 7.5 magnitude and lasted for almost a minute. Entire Venezuela was under state of shock as reports of devastation started trickling in. The latest toll (as on 7 July) is more than 3500 dead, more than 16,000 injured and more than 30,000 missing. About 1.5 lakhs locals have been displaced and around 58,000 houses and buildings collapsed. National emergency was declared to deal with the nature’s fury. The Earthquake of this magnitude has occurred for the first time since independence in 1811 as per Venezuelan government.
The United Nations and friendly countries have responded with Humanitarian Aid and relief materials. International Disaster relief teams are gradually reaching affected areas and rescue missions are continuing. India was one of the first nations to respond. The country initiated a relief and rescue mission within a 72-hour crucial rescue window.
Venezuela is the northern most state of South America and on western coast of Atlantic Ocean with 2800 km long pristine coast line. It is situated on the tri-junction of Coco, Caribbean, South American seismic plate. It is located south west of Caribbean islands. Officially, it is known as Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. It is also called the ‘Little Venice’. The western border touches with Columbia. Brazil is in south and Guyana is the eastern neighbour. It is strategically located on Sea and Air routes linking North and South America. Caracas is the capital and largest modern city. Angela falls on Orinoco River originates from Andes’ range and flows across the country and joins the Atlantic, these are the world’s highest waterfalls and considered to be more attractive and enchanting than Niagara Falls.
Political History of Venezuela
Venezuela was discovered by Columbus in 1498 and became a Spanish colony. It achieved independence on 5 July 1811 and became a republic in 1830. Through most of the 20th century, it has been ruled by Military rulers. It had democratic government since 1959. The total geographical area is about 912,000 sq kilometres and population is 32 million and follow Roman Catholic sect. The country is endowed with one the largest oil reserves of the globe and highly urbanised nation of world. It has 23 states and one capital state. Maracaibo. Barquisimeto and Valencia are the other important cities.
Political transition -It was a colony of Spain and Spanish is widely spoken. It achieved independence in 1811. There was long dispute between US and Britain for ownership of Venezuela trading rights. In 1899, Cipriano Castro assisted by Juan Gomez seized power and ruled till 1908. He was under lot of debt due to foreign investors. He left for Germany for medical treatment. Gomez carried out a coup and became the president and ruled till 1935. The economy boomed as large oil reserves were found and Venezuela became an exporter of Oil. Medina Angirta took over as president in 1935 after the death of Gomez and brought lot of reforms. Angarita was removed in a Military coup. Gallegos ruled till 1948 and was replaced by Chabud, who ruled till 1958. Perez Jimenez supported by military junta took over in 1958. After unification of three parties, Romulo Betancourt was sworn in but was replaced by Rafael Calderas till 1974. Carlos Andres Perez became president in 1974. The economy boomed due to rise in world oil price.
President Hugo Chavez, a left winger, was elected in 1998. He was a communist and launched Bolivarian revolution and served for almost 14 years even faced a failed military coup. He achieved wonderful results. He introduced Robinson mission with 100% literacy, employment generation, infra structure development, economic reforms, poverty reduction measures, new hospitals and welfare schemes. Venezuela happiness index prospered but due to over spending and corruption, the nation faced financial crisis. He died in 2013 after prolonged illness.
Nicholas Maduro, who was Vice president was appointed as President in 2013, He ruled for 13 years till 3 January, 2026 as President of Bolivarian republic of Venezuela and emerged as one of the most powerful presidents of Venezulea. He was elected three times.
There were huge protests in 2014 against hyper inflation, shortage of essential goods, crime and corruption. The police action resulted in 40 fatalities and arrests of opposition leaders and thousands of rioters. In 2016, emergency was declared. The economy was in bad state. The corruption was at its peak.
President Trump imposed sanctions in 2017 on Venezuelan Oil exports and frozen its Gold reserves and assets abroad. President Maduro was re-elected in 2019 in a controversial mandate. US sanctions continued and devastated Venezuelan economy in spite of possessing large Oil reseves.EU and Canada also imposed sanctions. CIA organised covert ops by Silver corps to eliminate Maduro but he survived. In 2021, Venezuela struck a deal with Iran, which provided oil diluents and commenced exports. Maduro was declared elected by National electoral council elected in 2024 for the third time. The opposition leader a former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez also claimed victory by a huge margin.
Maduro now decided to develop his economy and crush the protests. He made several deals with countries requiring oil including IOC and Reliance India and focussed on huge exports.
On 1 September 2025, USA launched Operation Southern Spear on pretext of curbing Drug trafficking and illicit weapon smuggling but the main objective was blockade of Venezuela and change of regime. On 3 January 2026, under code name Operation Absolute Resolve, USAF carried out heavy air strikes in Caracas outskirts. Delta force of the US, in a commando operation, abducted President Nicholas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores took him to USS Iwa Jima and later to unknown destination. A daring and arrogant operation against a neighbouring sovereign nation. It was condemned by China and Russia .Vice President Deicy Rodriguez has been appointed as President. On 23 Jan 2026, the Oil sector has been opened to private sector which will permit US companies to extract oil from Venezuela oil fields.US President offered Venezuela to become 51 state of America which was boldly turned down by Deicy Rodriguez and stated that we will maintain good relations with USA but we are not a colony but a independent sovereign state.
India-Venezuela Ties
India maintains cordial relations with Venezuela since 1959 and important trade partner. The Acting President Ms Deicy Rodriguez had visited India on 4 June 2026 and had a bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi. The two leaders had extensive discussion on expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals, technology, health- care and cultural ties. Venezuela is a valued partner and our close cooperation will be of immense importance in Global south. PM assured her that India will always cooperate and stand shoulder to shoulder in event of unforeseen crisis. The words of Indian PM proved true as Indian rescue mission took off for Caracas and landed with Relief material and modular hospital within 72 hours of Calamity. Venezuelan President has lauded the initiative of India.
Rescue and Rehabilitation Operations by India
The warning order was received by Maroon brigade in late evening for Operation Amistad on 25 June 2026, the two Indian Air force C 17 Globe masters III took off from a western Airbase on 26 June mid-day and headed for Caracas which was 14,300 km away across seven oceans. The huge birds landed safely at Maiquetia International Airport on 27 June 2026 at 1427 hours as confirmed by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in a press brief. He announced India has launched Operation Amistad (meaning Friendship in Spanish), a humanitarian relief mission to Venezuela under directions of PM.
The Indian Relief team consisted of 41 members of rescue team led by Col Jagneet Gill, with tranche composed of 66 tonnes of Relief material including a 60 Field hospital of Para brigade, medicines, tents, tinned food, water bottles, medical equipment and two BHISHM Cubes ( Bharat health initiative for sahayta, hith and maître). They were basically modular mobile operation theatres which can be airlifted and installed within 6 hours) and can treat 200 traumatic casualties.
India thus stood shoulder to shoulder with a friend in need by following dictum of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (Whole world is a family). The country demonstrated her intercontinental capability to despatch medical assistance and relief materials to victims of a natural disaster on the other side of the globe.
Concluding Statement
India had always been pioneer in launching global Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Mission (HADR) in 21st Century. Operation Castor and Rainbow (Maldives and Sri Lanka Tsunami 2004), Operation Raahat (Yemen 2015, evacuated 4700 Indians and 2000 foreign nationals during Yemen civil war), Operation Maitri (Nepal Earthquake 2015),Operation Devi Shakti 2012 (Afghanistan evacuation after Taliban takeover), Op Sagar 2021 ( Supply of30 crore Covid vaccines to 99 countries), Op Ganga 2022 (massive evacuation from Ukraine), Op Dost 2023 (Earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria), Op Karuna 2023 (Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar), Operation Brahma 2025 (Myanmar earthquake). Indian government, Indian Armed forces and NDRF have been complimented by UN and disaster affected nations time and again for global HADR missions.