Germany Offers Military Airlift Assistance After Deadly Venezuela Earthquakes

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has offered military assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country, leaving at least 32 people dead and about 700 others injured, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) reported.

Germany says its military transport aircraft are ready to assist relief operations following powerful earthquakes in Venezuela. (Photo: Julian Herzog, Wikimedia Commons)

Pistorius said the Bundeswehr is prepared to deploy up to six Airbus A400M transport aircraft at short notice once Venezuela formally requests assistance.

"The Bundeswehr is on standby and can make up to six A400M transport aircraft available at short notice as soon as a request for support is received," Pistorius said on the ministry's WhatsApp channel.

According to the defense minister, the aircraft could transport emergency personnel and humanitarian supplies to Venezuela while also supporting domestic relief flights within the country.

Pistorius said he was "deeply shocked" by reports of the disaster. "The two earthquakes are said to have been among the strongest of the year so far. We must now provide aid as quickly as possible," he said.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquakes, which struck Wednesday evening, at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.