The Indian Army’s field hospital deployed to earthquake-stricken Venezuela under Operation Amistad has become fully operational and is now providing free medical services 24 hours a day, officials confirmed on June 29. The medical facility has been established in Caracas as part of India’s humanitarian assistance mission following the devastating earthquakes that struck the South American nation last week.
According to the Indian Embassy in Venezuela, a team of experienced Indian Army doctors has set up the field hospital at the International La Rinconada Racetrack in Caracas. In a social media update, the embassy announced that the medical camp is now functioning round the clock and offering all medical services free of charge to those affected by the disaster.
The twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, which struck Venezuela on 24 June evening, were among the most powerful tremors recorded in the country in over a century. The disaster has claimed at least 1,450 lives, while thousands of people have been injured and many others remain missing.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Operation Amistad is currently underway in Venezuela, with the Indian Army field hospital extending critical medical support to earthquake survivors. He also noted that senior Venezuelan officials, including the country’s Vice Health Minister and the head of the Government of the Capital District, visited the Indian medical facility.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier confirmed that India’s relief consignments, medical equipment and the Army field hospital unit had successfully reached Venezuela to strengthen ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.
As part of Operation Amistad, India dispatched two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying 66 tonnes of humanitarian aid. The consignment included the Indian Army field hospital, over 35 tonnes of relief materials, medicines and medical equipment, along with two BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes, which are mobile emergency medical facilities designed for rapid deployment during disasters.
The two aircraft completed a 23-hour journey covering more than 14,000 kilometres from Delhi to Caracas. India’s assistance to Venezuela now includes a fully functional field hospital, emergency medical infrastructure and substantial relief supplies, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to supporting the people and government of Venezuela during this humanitarian crisis.