Seven responders from the Puerto Rico National Guard arrived in Venezuela on Monday to assist with search and rescue efforts following two catastrophic earthquakes that struck the country last Wednesday. The responders, part of the Air National Guard's Contingency Response Group, were deployed under federal orders to join a contingency group from the US Southern Command's active Air Force.
According to Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera, 15 additional responders from the same group are on standby at the Muñiz Air Base in Carolina, awaiting federal orders to depart. The operation is being coordinated by the US Southern Command as part of a humanitarian assistance effort.
Secretary of the Department of Public Safety Arthur Garffer explained that the deployment of responders is based on the needs of the Venezuelan government, which is assessing its requirements and deciding who to allow into the country.