The delegation, comprised of 124 members from Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Public Security, was welcomed at the airport by Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil Pinto and representatives of the Ministry of Defense. Pinto said Vietnam’s decision to dispatch rescue forces to Venezuela reflects the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries.
Major General Pham Van Ty, head of the Vietnamese delegation, said the team will carry out its mission with the highest sense of responsibility, treating the Venezuelan victims as if they were Vietnamese compatriots.
Shortly after the delegation settled into its accommodations, Venezuelan Minister of Defense General Gustavo López visited and thanked the Vietnamese officers and soldiers. He expressed deep appreciation for the noble gesture of the Vietnamese armed forces and said the friendly relations and comprehensive partnership between the two countries, particularly between their armed forces, will continue to develop.
Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their solidarity and support following the twin earthquakes, which caused severe damage in Caracas and La Guaira state. Rodríguez said the participation of the Vietnamese rescue team will help significantly improve search and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance in the affected areas.
30 countries have dispatched rescue forces to Venezuela. The search for survivors is being urgently carried out by domestic and international teams, giving hope to thousands of families whose relatives are missing.
President of the National Assembly of Venezuela Jorge Rodríguez said Monday that the death toll from the two earthquakes that struck on June 24 had risen to 1,719, with more than 5,000 others injured.
