Operation Amistad: India's Army Field Hospital wins Venezuelan hearts after 7.5 quake
Synopsis
India's Army Field Hospital in Caracas is winning hearts — and saving lives — as Operation Amistad delivers surgeries and trauma care to survivors of Venezuela's deadliest earthquake in decades. With the death toll at 2,954, 942 aftershocks recorded, and 16,000-plus people still without homes, the Indian mission is one of the most visible foreign relief efforts on the ground.
Key Takeaways
India deployed an Army Field Hospital to Caracas under Operation Amistad following Venezuela's twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 on 24 June .
The death toll has risen to 2,954 , with 16,592 injured and 16,209 left without housing, according to Venezuela National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez .
Venezuelan survivor Yoe Garcia and the mother of patient Anthony Aguilarte publicly thanked India for surgeries and fracture treatment at the field hospital.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and the Indian Army's ADGPI confirmed the hospital is operating round the clock, providing life-saving surgeries and trauma care.
Venezuela has recorded 942 aftershocks since 24 June; 29,567 rescuers remain deployed, including 3,281 from abroad.
80 temporary camps have been set up for displaced persons, with 856 buildings damaged and 190 collapsed.
India's Army Field Hospital, deployed to Caracas, Venezuela under Operation Amistad, is delivering round-the-clock trauma care to survivors of the twin earthquakes that struck the country on 24 June, with patients and families publicly expressing gratitude for the medical support extended by Indian personnel. The mission comes in the wake of two devastating quakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that have claimed over 2,900 lives and left tens of thousands displaced.
Survivors Speak: Gratitude From the Field Hospital
Among those treated at the facility is Anthony Aguilarte, who was brought in with a fractured femur. His mother, Lizzet Rodriguez, expressed her thanks directly: 'My name is Lizzet Rodriguez, the mother of Anthony Aguilarte, brought him here to the Indian medical team's field hospital because of a fractured femur, so that he could receive successful treatment from this outstanding team. I would like to thank the Government of India for providing support to the Venezuelan people during this tragedy that we are experiencing. Thank you once again to India and to its wonderful team of doctors and interpreters.'
Another survivor, Yoe Garcia, from the quake-hit coastal state of La Guaira, recounted undergoing surgery for multiple injuries: 'I am Yoe Garcia. I come from the earthquake tragedy in La Guaira. Thanks to the Government of India, I underwent surgery on my arm after suffering two fractures and a fracture in my foot. Thanks to the Government of India, well, here I am moving forward.'
What Operation Amistad Entails
India launched Operation Amistad — meaning 'friendship' in Spanish — specifically in response to the Venezuelan earthquake disaster. The Indian Army Field Hospital is providing life-saving surgeries, trauma care, and comprehensive medical support to earthquake survivors, operating continuously in Caracas. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been sharing updates, videos, and photographs from the field hospital on social media platform X.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the mission in a post: 'Healing hands. Shared humanity. The Army Field Hospital carries forward its humanitarian mission in Venezuela.'
The Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) stated: 'With unwavering professionalism and compassion, the Indian Army Field Hospital remains a beacon of hope, earning the trust and gratitude of the local community. The mission reflects India's steadfast commitment to Humanitarian Assistance And Disaster Relief. In this hour of adversity, India stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, extending care, compassion and hope.'
Scale of the Disaster
On Saturday, Venezuela National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed that the death toll from the two earthquakes had risen to 2,954, with 16,592 others injured. Rodriguez, in a message on his Telegram channel, said 6,462 people had been rescued since the disaster struck the states of Aragua, Miranda, La Guaira, Carabobo, Yaracuy, and Falcon.
As many as 16,209 people remain without housing, while 856 buildings have been damaged and 190 structures have collapsed, according to reports. Venezuelan authorities have established 80 temporary camps for displaced persons, with 29,567 rescuers deployed — including 3,281 from abroad. Venezuela has recorded 942 aftershocks since the initial earthquakes of 24 June.
India's Humanitarian Reach
Operation Amistad is the latest demonstration of India's expanding Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) footprint beyond its immediate neighbourhood. This comes amid India's broader diplomatic engagement with Latin America, where New Delhi has been deepening ties with several nations. The deployment of a fully functional Army Field Hospital — rather than just relief supplies — signals a more operationally intensive form of assistance. With nearly 30,000 rescuers still active on the ground and the aftershock count crossing 900, the humanitarian need in Venezuela remains acute, and the Indian mission shows no signs of winding down.
Point of View
And the MEA's social media amplification of patient testimonials suggests New Delhi is conscious of the optics. The harder question is whether this level of HADR commitment is matched by a sustained diplomatic strategy in Latin America, or whether it remains a one-off goodwill gesture. Venezuela's ongoing political and economic fragility means the humanitarian need will outlast the immediate earthquake crisis — and India's exit calculus will matter as much as its entry.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Amistad?
Operation Amistad is India's humanitarian mission to Venezuela launched in response to the twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck on 24 June. It involves the deployment of an Indian Army Field Hospital in Caracas, providing surgeries, trauma care, and comprehensive medical support to earthquake survivors.
How many people have died in the Venezuela earthquake?
The death toll has risen to 2,954, according to Venezuela National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. An additional 16,592 people were injured, and 16,209 remain without housing following the 24 June earthquakes.
What medical services is the Indian Army Field Hospital providing in Venezuela?
The Indian Army Field Hospital is operating round the clock in Caracas, delivering life-saving surgeries, fracture treatment, trauma care, and comprehensive medical support to earthquake survivors. Patients including those with femur fractures and multiple limb fractures have been treated at the facility.
Which areas of Venezuela were worst affected by the earthquakes?
The earthquakes affected the states of Aragua, Miranda, La Guaira, Carabobo, Yaracuy, and Falcon. A total of 856 buildings were damaged and 190 structures collapsed, with 6,462 people rescued since the disaster struck.
How many aftershocks has Venezuela recorded since the earthquakes?
Venezuela has recorded 942 aftershocks since the twin earthquakes of 24 June, according to official statements. Nearly 29,567 rescuers remain deployed across affected areas, including 3,281 personnel from abroad.
