Venezuelan FM thanks Türkiye for earthquake rescue support

Venezuela’s foreign minister has publicly thanked Türkiye for its rapid deployment of search-and-rescue teams following two devastating earthquakes that struck the South American nation. In an interview with Anadolu, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil praised the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for not hesitating to offer support during the crisis. He made the remarks after visiting a Turkish rescue team operating in La Guaira, the epicentre of the disaster.

Coordination and future aid

Gil said he had personally coordinated the relief efforts with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, adding that Türkiye’s assistance has been invaluable. “The presence of the Turkish delegation, the search and rescue teams, and the equipment they brought is of great importance,” he stated. He also revealed that additional help is on its way from Türkiye, and that Caracas is awaiting further support. “We feel the support of our brotherly Turkish people with us at every moment,” he said, describing the two countries as “brother nations.”

Bilateral solidarity

Türkiye has extensive experience in earthquake response, having deployed rescue teams to numerous countries. The twin earthquakes, which struck on June 24, have killed at least 1,719 people and injured thousands more. Gil’s public thanks underscores the importance of international solidarity in disaster response. The gratitude also reflects the growing ties between Ankara and Caracas, which have strengthened in recent years through diplomatic and economic cooperation.