The US Armed Forces are “mobilizing rapidly” to assist the Government of Venezuela in rescue and recovery efforts following Wednesday's two earthquakes, the US Army's Southern Command (Southcom) reported this Thursday.

The military organization, based in Florida, announced in a statement that, on instructions from the War Department, it is working with the State Department to “support the relief operations of the US Government in Venezuela” after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.

“Our joint forces are rapidly mobilizing to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics and rescue capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” Southcom said.

Rescue teams and international coordination after the earthquakes

The command announced the establishment of an operational planning team with specialists from the Office of Humanitarian Assistance to advise staff and leaders responsible for disaster relief planning.

Also, he added, “close coordination has begun with other partners and allies in the region who have committed to joining the international assistance that is already underway to help the people of Venezuela in this time of need.”

Hours earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he spoke with Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, and that the United States has deployed search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles, for the work.

At least 164 people have died and another 971 were injured by the earthquakes, the strongest in a century and which occurred just 39 seconds apart, according to the most recent report offered by the interim president early Thursday morning.

US President Donald Trump, who has moved closer to Caracas since the capture of Nicolás Maduro, ordered his government agencies on Wednesday to act “quickly” to help Venezuela in the face of the “devastating death toll.”