US soldiers unload first Chinese aid plane in quake-hit Venezuela

US soldiers unloaded the first Chinese aid plane to arrive in Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes. The US is overseeing the distribution of over 1.5 million pounds of relief supplies in the region.

Scraper SystemJuly 16, 2026, 11:11 AM

US soldiers unload first Chinese aid plane in quake-hit Venezuela

US soldiers unloaded the Chinese aid plane that arrived in the country after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Photos shared by the US government show US soldiers offloading relief supplies from the Air China aircraft that landed at Simón Bolívar Airport on July 6.

The earthquakes that struck on June 24 killed at least 920 people, left 51,000 missing and over 3,300 injured. According to the latest data shared by the Venezuelan government with Reuters, the death toll has risen to 4,734 and the number of injured to 16,740.

US-led relief efforts

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, "Secretary Rubio promised that the Trump administration's response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela would be large, fast and effective. We continue to fulfill that commitment."

Pigott stressed that, unlike some other countries, the US is not only making promises but is active on the ground. Since the earthquakes, the US has delivered more than 1.5 million pounds (approximately 680 tons) of relief supplies to Venezuela. The runways at Simón Bolívar Airport near Caracas have been repaired, making them suitable for large cargo aircraft landings.

China's contribution and civilian aid

The Chinese government had pledged $14.72 million in financial and material aid to Venezuela after the earthquakes. Chinese state media reported that the first aid shipment arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport on July 6 and was received by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela Lan Hu.

Florida-based aid organization Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) plans to deliver 100,000 boxes of relief supplies per month over the next 3 to 6 months. GEM founder Michael Capponi said that the aid is unloaded by US soldiers and taken directly to warehouses under their control, not reaching the Venezuelan government.

Venezuelan officials said that 190 buildings were destroyed in the earthquakes, more than 850 were damaged, and about 18,000 people were left homeless. The US also sent more than 300 search and rescue personnel to the region, but according to the Miami Herald, these teams have completed their mission and have been withdrawn.

US soldiers unload first Chinese aid plane in quake-hit Venezuela