Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, announced on Sunday the formation of a specialized military unit dedicated to emergency response. This move is seen as an effort to address the backlash against the government's handling of the armed forces following the dual earthquakes on June 24, which resulted in over 3,342 fatalities in Venezuela.
The new unit will be called "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Antonio José de Sucre" and will be led by Brigadier General Pabón Castellanos. Rodríguez made this announcement during the celebration of the country's 150th independence anniversary.
"I have instructed the Ministry of Defense to create a special emergency task unit to manage disasters of this nature, named Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Antonio José de Sucre," the leader declared.
The announcement comes amid widespread criticism of the government for deploying over 14,000 military personnel in La Guaira for public order control, while initial search and rescue efforts were largely shouldered by civilian volunteers and victims' families.
Rodríguez firmly rejected these criticisms, stating, "They have attempted to attack our armed forces, denigrating and assaulting them, yet we have seen them aiding the people, saving lives, recovering bodies."
She also dismissed the likelihood of social unrest: "I do not understand how, in these times of sorrow for Venezuela, of national mourning, some dare to revel in misfortune, some dare to plot social uprisings. There will be no social unrest here, only profound social solidarity from our people."
In the same event, Rodríguez commissioned over 800 new officers and ordered their immediate deployment to La Guaira, the coastal area most devastated by the earthquakes. In Catia La Mar, 158 of 189 buildings were destroyed, and critical infrastructures like the Hospital José María Vargas and the Maiquetía International Airport collapsed.
Simultaneously, the interim president appointed civil engineer Francisco Garcés as the new Minister of Transportation, replacing Jacqueline Faría, who had held the position since March.
Faría will now lead the Gran Misión Venezuela Renace, established on Saturday and attached to the Presidency. Its mandate is to coordinate the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure and provide "timely responses to affected families."
According to official figures, the earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude—considered by the U.S. Geological Survey as the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900—also left 16,740 injured and more than 17,000 homeless, with 856 buildings damaged and 190 collapsed.
This Sunday marked exactly six months since Rodríguez assumed the interim presidency following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The cabinet changes announced on Sunday are part of a series of modifications that have gradually dismantled the government team left by Maduro, who is detained in the United States along with his wife, Cilia Flores.
The United Nations has estimated up to 50,000 individuals are missing as a result of the earthquakes, a figure not officially acknowledged by the Venezuelan government.
Understanding Venezuela's Earthquake Response and Criticisms
What prompted Delcy Rodríguez to create a new military unit?
The creation of the new military unit was prompted by the need to improve emergency response capabilities following criticism of the government's handling of the dual earthquakes in June, which had a devastating impact on Venezuela.
How has the public reacted to the deployment of military forces in La Guaira?
The public reaction has been critical, with many pointing out that military forces were focused on maintaining public order rather than engaging in search and rescue operations, which were initially left to civilian volunteers and victims' families.
What are the responsibilities of the newly appointed Minister of Transportation?
The new Minister of Transportation, Francisco Garcés, is tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of transportation infrastructure and ensuring timely responses to the needs of families affected by the earthquakes.
What is the Gran Misión Venezuela Renace?
The Gran Misión Venezuela Renace is a presidential initiative aimed at coordinating the recovery of housing and infrastructure, providing timely assistance to families affected by the earthquakes, and fostering social solidarity.