Two earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 235 people and injuring around 4,300, according to the country's health minister and AP News on June 26. Rescue teams from the United States and Germany are now in the coastal city of La Guaira to help find survivors in collapsed buildings.

This is one of the biggest international rescue efforts Venezuela has received in years. That matters because Venezuela has been cut off from much Western aid for over a decade due to political tensions and economic sanctions.

Who's Responding

The U.S. sent Virginia Task Force 1, a specialized rescue team based in Virginia. These teams are trained to search through collapsed buildings and pull out survivors—exactly what's needed after earthquakes. The team has worked major disasters in Haiti, Turkey, and the Bahamas.

Germany also sent a disaster relief team called the THW. Both teams are working with the United Nations to coordinate their efforts, Reuters reported on June 25.

One thing to note: The U.S. and Venezuelan governments don't have normal diplomatic relations right now. So instead of coordinating directly with each other, the rescue teams are working through the United Nations. This adds extra steps when speed is critical—most survivors trapped in buildings need to be found within the first 48 to 72 hours.

Why the Toll Matters

The death count of 235 reported so far is likely going up. When earthquakes collapse buildings, rescue teams take time to dig through rubble and reach all affected areas. Final death tolls from the first few days are usually much lower than what ends up being confirmed later.

With 4,300 people injured, Venezuelan hospitals face a huge challenge. The country has been struggling for years with shortages of medicine, doctors, and reliable electricity. Adding thousands of injured earthquake victims to this situation is extremely difficult.

La Guaira is the main port city for the capital, Caracas, and sits between the Caribbean Sea and mountains. Experts have long known this area is at high risk from earthquakes and from landslides that earthquakes can trigger. In 1999, heavy rains caused massive landslides in the same region and killed tens of thousands of people.

The Bigger Picture

The U.S. is normally in conflict with Venezuela's government. America has imposed sanctions and refused to recognize recent elections. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the U.S. rescue effort publicly, which is significant because it shows the U.S. prioritizes saving lives over political disputes—at least for now.

But it's not clear whether this disaster will lead to any bigger thaw in U.S.–Venezuelan relations or if the rescue teams will remain separate from any political talks. The most immediate question is whether rescue equipment can get cleared through customs quickly, whether hospitals can handle all the injured people, and whether the main mountain road from the port to Caracas stays open for supplies to get through.