Trump pledges U.S. aid after 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit Venezuela; state of emergency declared

According to CNBC, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is prepared to deploy resources to Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck near the country’s northern coast, damaging buildings in Caracas and prompting a state of emergency. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the U.S. was in contact with Venezuelan authorities and mobilizing assistance, while a senior State Department official said a disaster assistance team and task force were being readied with search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian resources. Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people were killed and 971 were injured, according to Reuters; the U.S. Geological Survey issued two red alerts and estimated a 41% probability fatalities could exceed 10,000 and a 17% chance they could reach 100,000, and projected the quake could reduce Venezuela’s GDP by up to 7%. Rodriguez later thanked the Trump administration for support and said China and Brazil had sent aid, Qatar had prepared a rescue brigade expected to arrive Thursday, and the Dominican Republic had dispatched rescue teams.