The seismic tragedy that struck Venezuela last Wednesday has opened an unusual channel of cooperation between Washington and Caracas. As a result, the United States announced the deployment of emergency response teams and the temporary suspension of economic sanctions to facilitate rescue operations.
The US Treasury Department issued an order allowing all transactions with Venezuela related to earthquake relief efforts, which would otherwise be prohibited under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations (VSR). However, this does not constitute a general cancellation of the sanctions regime. The directive clarifies that it does not include the unblocking of assets subject to regulation and does not apply to any other transactions or activities prohibited by another Executive Order. This is a temporary and limited humanitarian window, not a significant political opening.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that the US had sent Lieutenant General Joseph Jarrard from the Southern Command (Southcom) to the affected area to coordinate humanitarian efforts and rescue operations on the ground. The US Embassy in Caracas confirmed Jarrard‘s arrival, clarifying that Southcom’s high command is tasked with coordinating assistance efforts alongside the team on the ground. We remain dedicated to Venezuela, the Embassy noted on social media, a sentiment that would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.
Support from the US Southern Command
Southcom confirmed the increase in forces and released images of military personnel loading equipment onto helicopters at an airbase in Honduras for deployment to Venezuela. The statement was clear: American forces available in the region are being deployed to support US government humanitarian assistance operations in Venezuela, led by the State Department. The command clarified that Caracas officially requested American support after the earthquakes, providing diplomatic cover for the entire operation. Troops will use planes and helicopters to mobilize rescue personnel, equipment, and humanitarian aid to the affected areas.
The context is significant. Since the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro last January, Washington has issued a limited number of permits and licenses for the exploitation and commercialization of oil under the interim presidency of Delsi Rodriguez, indicating a certain easing of the regime. This week’s permit extends further in its humanitarian scope, although it remains limited in its political implications.
On the economic front, the State Department announced total aid of 150 million dollars: 100 million is allocated to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Venezuela, with another 50 million designated for direct work on the ground.
Source: El Mundo