Miyamoto International, a U.S.-based structural engineering company, has entered into an agreement with the Venezuelan government to clear and process three million tons of debris from areas ravaged by last June's earthquakes, as announced by the U.S. Embassy in Caracas this Saturday.
This collaboration was described by the U.S. diplomatic mission as a "public-private effort" that will utilize heavy machinery, technical expertise, and labor from the Venezuelan private sector. It is part of a three-phase plan spearheaded by the Trump administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to aid in the economic recovery of the country.
The earthquakes that prompted this contract struck northern Venezuela on June 24, 2026, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, marking them as the strongest in the nation in 125 years.
Devastation in La Guaira
La Guaira suffered the most severe impact: out of the 190 collapsed buildings nationwide, 158 were in this coastal area, which is the main gateway to the Maiquetía International Airport.
As of August 24, the most recent official report, the human toll of the disaster included 6,509 fatalities, 6,462 rescues, and over 226,696 individuals receiving hospital care.
Financial and Structural Impact
The United Nations Development Programme estimated direct damages at $6.7 billion, roughly 6% of Venezuela's gross domestic product. Additionally, it reported that 600,790 tons of debris had been collected, which accounts for 28.61% of the total. Miyamoto International has been active in Venezuela since July 3, 2026, deploying rapid response teams in La Guaira.
The company has assessed at least 10,000 buildings, expanding its team from an initial 25 engineers to nearly 100 specialists.
Debris and Recovery Efforts
Satelite estimates from NASA calculated around 58,870 damaged structures and 1.2 million tons of debris in that area alone, while the Venezuelan government and UNDP estimated national debris accumulation at over two million tons.
H. Kit Miyamoto, the company's CEO and a Japanese-American structural engineer and World Bank advisor, noted that at least 30% of the debris is reusable. The project includes a plan to dispose of approximately two million tons.
This contract formalizes a collaboration that began forming on August 5, when interim President Delcy Rodríguez led a meeting with Miyamoto International and TFI Solutions to strategize urban reconstruction.
Strategic U.S. Involvement
The agreement is part of the second phase of the U.S. plan for Venezuela—economic recovery—announced by Rubio on January 7, 2026, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. To support these operations, the United States temporarily eased financial restrictions between July 27, 2026, and January 29, 2027, aiming to expedite humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in the country.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the contract "provides essential engineering support for Venezuela's economic recovery" within the framework outlined by Washington to aid the country's transition.
Insights on Venezuela's Earthquake Recovery Efforts
What is the role of Miyamoto International in Venezuela's recovery?
Miyamoto International is tasked with clearing and processing three million tons of debris from areas affected by the earthquakes, as part of a public-private partnership to aid Venezuela's recovery.
How significant were the earthquakes that struck Venezuela in 2026?
The earthquakes in June 2026, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, were the most powerful in Venezuela in 125 years, causing extensive structural damage and significant loss of life.
What are the estimated damages and debris from the earthquakes?
The UNDP estimated direct damages at $6.7 billion, with over two million tons of debris nationwide, highlighting the immense impact on Venezuela's infrastructure and economy.