100 USAF airmen begin repairs at Caracas airport; 130 Marines en route to reopen La Guaira port

SOUTHCOM surged a Contingency Response Element to Simón Bolívar International Airport on Sunday to restore airfield operations; 130 Marines are en route to La Guaira, as Venezuela's confirmed death toll reaches 1,450 with more than 68,900 missing

Summary

A 100-person US Air Force Contingency Response Element arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas on Sunday to assess damage and restore airfield operations, five days after twin earthquakes killed at least 1,450 people and left 68,900 missing across northern Venezuela. SOUTHCOM confirmed that within 24 hours, 130 Marines will reach the Port of La Guaira to reopen maritime access. Sailors from the USS Fort Lauderdale already delivered initial supplies by landing craft. Total US assistance exceeds $150 million, with an additional nine-figure package pending from the Trump administration.

Why it matters

Reopening the airport and port is the logistics hinge for the entire international relief operation. With the 72-hour rescue window now closed and more than 30 search teams still active, restoring both entry points determines how quickly heavy equipment and medical supplies reach the most damaged areas.

the record · 2

US Southern Command — SOUTHCOM press release confirming deployment of a 100-person Contingency Response Element to Simón Bolívar International Airport for airfield damage assessment and operational restoration, plus the imminent arrival of 130 Marines at the Port of La Guaira. Also confirmed USS Fort Lauderdale has delivered initial supplies by landing craft.

US State Department — State Department update placing total US assistance at over $150 million committed, with military logistics assets forming the backbone of the operational response.

Regional takes · 1

▸ US network with embedded team in Caracas; first to carry the SOUTHCOM deployment update alongside the updated toll figure

ABC News · United States · en · Jun 29, 2026 13:41Z

Live blog confirmed 100 Air Force airmen from the Contingency Response Element arrived Sunday at Simón Bolívar International Airport, with 130 Marines expected at La Guaira within 24 hours. Updated death toll to 1,450 confirmed dead with over 68,900 unaccounted for.

“A Contingency Response Element that includes 100 US Air Force airmen arrived in Venezuela on Sunday and will help make repairs at Simon Bolivar International Airport to make it operational, according to SOUTHCOM.”

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