Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-FL) said the Venezuelan people need U.S. help following a series of earthquakes that struck the country in June 2026.
The call for humanitarian assistance comes as the U.S. assesses the scale of the disaster and the status of American citizens and former residents caught in the crisis.
In an interview with ABC News, Giménez said a U.S. disaster-response effort is necessary to provide aid to those affected by the twin earthquakes that occurred on June 25, 2026 [2]. He said the humanitarian needs of the Venezuelan population are urgent.
Beyond the general population, the disaster has raised concerns regarding U.S. deportees who were living in Venezuela at the time of the seismic events. Giménez said more than 100 [1] U.S. deportees are currently missing.
When discussing the disappearance of these individuals, Giménez said the situation is part of an "act of God" [1].
The congressman's remarks highlight the tension between providing humanitarian relief to a foreign population and managing the specific crisis of missing persons with ties to the U.S. government. The focus remains on the coordination of aid, and the search for survivors in the wake of the June 25 events [2].
“The Venezuelan people need our help”
This development signals a potential shift toward increased U.S. humanitarian engagement in Venezuela despite complex diplomatic relations. The specific mention of missing deportees introduces a legal and ethical layer to the disaster response, as the U.S. must balance general aid with the tracking of individuals previously removed from the country.
