Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said a new military commission will manage catastrophes and emergencies in Venezuela [1].

The move comes as the government faces intense scrutiny over its handling of a humanitarian crisis following a series of devastating earthquakes. By formalizing a military-led response unit, the administration seeks to centralize authority over disaster relief and stabilize regions where the state's presence has been questioned.

Rodríguez said the announcement in La Guaira, the area most severely impacted by the seismic activity [1]. The region has become a focal point for both relief efforts and political tension due to the massive deployment of troops to the disaster zone [1].

The scale of the tragedy underscores the urgency of the new commission. Official figures indicate that 3,342 people died across Venezuela following the earthquakes [1]. Additionally, more than 16,000 people were injured [1].

The decision to utilize a military commission follows criticism regarding the deployment of hundreds of soldiers in the affected areas [1]. The government is positioning this new unit as a necessary adaptation to a new reality, aiming to restructure how the state responds to large-scale emergencies [2, 4].

Rodríguez said the announcement coincides with her marking six months in office [1]. The new unit is intended to streamline the coordination between the armed forces and civilian emergency services to prevent further loss of life during the recovery phase [1].

“3,342 people died across Venezuela following the earthquakes”

The creation of a military-led disaster commission suggests a shift toward a more securitized approach to public health and safety. By integrating emergency response directly into the military structure, the Venezuelan government may be attempting to maintain social control in volatile regions like La Guaira while simultaneously addressing the logistical failures that contributed to the high casualty count.