Trump Orders to Help Victims of Massive Earthquake in Venezuela

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has ordered all government agencies in the US to be on standby to help Venezuela, which was hit by a major earthquake.

"Two major earthquakes that hit the Venezuelan people occurred on a large scale and resulted in a large number of deaths. The US is always ready, willing, and able to help!" Trump said via the Truth Social platform, Wednesday night local time or Thursday, June 25 WIB.

"I have instructed all our government agencies to be ready to move quickly. We will get there for our new and great friend," Trump said.

The Venezuelan government officially declared a state of national emergency following the strong earthquake that hit the country, said the Acting President (Plt.) of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez.

"We are establishing a state of national emergency, as provided for in our constitution," Rodriguez said in a video address late Wednesday.

Venezuela's main airport, Maiquetia, was forced to close completely due to severe damage.

Rodriguez said that 20 aftershocks had been recorded after the two main earthquakes.

He also conveyed that a number of countries such as the United States, Panama, Qatar, Cuba, Nicaragua, Turkey, Jordan, Colombia, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico immediately expressed their readiness to help Venezuela.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported two major earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday.

The quake was centered 16 kilometers from Moron City and 24 kilometers from San Felipe.