Operation Amistad: Venezuelans thank India's Army field hospital after 7.5 quake
Synopsis
A 79-year-old woman rescued from rubble, patients moved to tears — India's Army field hospital in Venezuela is delivering more than medicine under Operation Amistad. Launched after twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes killed over 1,400 Venezuelans, the mission is quietly becoming one of India's most consequential humanitarian deployments in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Takeaways
India launched Operation Amistad after twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on 24 June , killing over 1,400 people .
Indian humanitarian assistance, including an Army Field Hospital Unit , reached Venezuela on 28 June .
Venezuelan patients have publicly praised the Indian medical team, calling the care 'excellent' and 'perfect' in videos shared by the MEA .
A 79-year-old survivor rescued from a collapsed building received fracture stabilisation, advanced wound care, and daily follow-up treatment at the field hospital.
Jaishankar confirmed the deployment on X , expressing confidence it would strengthen post-earthquake relief efforts.
Residents of earthquake-ravaged Venezuela are expressing heartfelt gratitude toward the Indian Army field hospital deployed under Operation Amistad, calling the medical care they have received 'excellent' and 'perfect' as the facility continues to serve survivors of the twin earthquakes that struck on 24 June.
What Patients Are Saying
In videos shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Venezuelan patients spoke directly to the Indian medical team. 'Indian friends, we are truly grateful for this excellent work that you are doing for us Venezuelans,' said one woman, visibly emotional during her remarks. She added: 'The care that you are providing here is excellent, standing with us in these difficult times. Truly excellent! Your attention and affection towards us is perfect. Thank you! May God be with you always. I am eternally grateful to you!'
A second patient similarly praised the facility, highlighting the service of medical specialists and the quality of care she received at the field hospital. Additional footage showed local residents at the hospital as the unit continued to deliver timely treatment.
A 79-Year-Old Survivor's Story
Among those treated is a 79-year-old woman rescued from a collapsed building. The Indian medical team stabilised her fractured leg, initiated advanced wound care, and established a daily follow-up treatment plan. She also suffers from peripheral arterial disease, which had led to a severe arterial ulcer and intense pain after delayed access to care.
The Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) described the hospital as 'a beacon of hope' in a post on X. 'India stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian assistance,' the post stated.
Background: Twin Earthquakes and Operation Amistad
India launched Operation Amistad in response to the twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June, killing over 1,400 people and causing widespread destruction. Indian humanitarian assistance — including the Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines, and medical equipment — reached Venezuela on 28 June.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the arrival in a post on X, expressing confidence that the deployment would 'bolster ongoing post-earthquake relief efforts in the country.'
India's Humanitarian Footprint
The deployment of a specialised Indian Army medical contingent to Venezuela is consistent with India's broader 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Global South' outreach, extending humanitarian reach well beyond South Asia. This comes amid growing Indian diplomatic engagement with Latin America, and Operation Amistad stands as one of the most significant Indian disaster-relief deployments in the Western Hemisphere in recent years. The mission's name — 'Amistad', meaning friendship in Spanish — underscores the diplomatic intent behind the relief effort.
As recovery efforts continue across Venezuela, the field hospital is expected to remain operational to serve the ongoing medical needs of earthquake survivors.
Point of View
Thousands of kilometres from Indian shores, signals a deliberate expansion of New Delhi's humanitarian footprint into Latin America. What the MEA-curated patient videos also reveal is an information strategy: India is documenting gratitude in real time, building a narrative of 'Vishwabandhu' — friend of the world — that serves both diplomatic and domestic audiences. The harder question is sustainability: field hospitals are temporary, and Venezuela's reconstruction will take years. Whether Operation Amistad translates into lasting bilateral goodwill depends on what follows the tents.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Amistad?
Operation Amistad is India's humanitarian relief mission to Venezuela, launched after twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country on 24 June, killing over 1,400 people. India deployed an Indian Army field hospital unit along with relief supplies, medicines, and medical equipment, which arrived in Venezuela on 28 June.
How many people died in the Venezuela earthquakes?
The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June claimed over 1,400 lives and caused widespread destruction across the country, prompting international humanitarian responses including India's Operation Amistad.
What medical care is the Indian Army field hospital providing in Venezuela?
The Indian Army field hospital is providing a range of medical services to earthquake survivors, including fracture stabilisation, advanced wound care, and daily follow-up treatment. A 79-year-old woman rescued from a collapsed building is among those receiving specialised care at the facility.
What did EAM S. Jaishankar say about India's assistance to Venezuela?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed on 28 June that Indian assistance had reached Venezuela, posting on X that he was 'confident that the Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment will bolster ongoing post-earthquake relief efforts in the country.'
Why is Operation Amistad significant for India?
Operation Amistad represents one of India's most significant humanitarian deployments in the Western Hemisphere, extending its disaster-relief reach well beyond South Asia. The mission reflects India's broader 'Global South' outreach and reinforces its positioning as a first-responder to international crises.
