On July 6, 2026, the first batch of emergency humanitarian earthquake relief supplies donated by the Chinese government touched down at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, a city located just outside Venezuela’s capital Caracas. The delivery was formally received at the airport by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and Lan Hu, China’s Ambassador to Venezuela.
This shipment comes after a devastating seismic event that struck Venezuela in late June. On the night of June 24, the country was hit by the most powerful earthquakes recorded in over 100 years: two major tremors measuring above magnitude 7 struck just 60 seconds apart. As of the latest update, the disaster has claimed the lives of 3,342 people and left 16,740 others injured, leaving thousands of residents homeless and in urgent need of basic emergency support.
In his remarks at the airport, Foreign Minister Gil extended sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and its leadership on behalf of the entire Venezuelan people. He noted that China has maintained continuous, close coordination with Venezuelan authorities from the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, and the arrival of these supplies marks a concrete manifestation of this solidarity. The current shipment includes critical emergency provisions such as temporary shelter tents and power generators, assets that are desperately needed to support thousands of Venezuelans who lost their homes and access to basic infrastructure in the disaster.
Beyond the official government donation, Gil highlighted the rapid, grassroots response from the local Chinese community and Chinese-funded enterprises operating in Venezuela. He explained that these groups have been actively involved in rescue and relief operations since the earliest hours of the disaster, providing assistance to displaced residents and supporting frontline emergency teams. Gil described these on-the-ground acts of support as deeply moving, noting that the Venezuelan people have clearly seen the tangible solidarity extended by China, and that these shared efforts have further deepened the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
Gil also emphasized that the timely delivery of relief supplies underscores the enduring nature of the all-weather strategic partnership that binds China and Venezuela, demonstrating how the two countries stand together in times of crisis.