Venezuelans affected by the twin earthquakes that struck their country on 24 June have praised the Indian Army Field Hospital deployed under 'Operation Amistad', describing the medical care as excellent. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has shared footage and images on social media platform X showing patients receiving treatment and recounting their experiences at the facility.

Patients Speak: 'The Service Has Been Excellent'

A resident from La Guaira state, accompanying a patient being treated at the hospital, described the care as outstanding. 'We are from La Guaira state, from Playa Grande. She has a double fibula fracture and they are going to operate on her tonight,' she told the camera. Asked whether the injury was earthquake-related, she confirmed it was, adding: 'We just arrived and have received immediate care. The whole service until now has been excellent.'

In a separate video shared by the MEA on Wednesday, another patient who had undergone arm surgery said, 'The arm doesn't hurt now... They did a good job. I don't have any problem now. Thank God that they did this operation. I had this problem for five days.' He confirmed he was receiving good care at the facility.

India's Humanitarian Mission Under Operation Amistad

India launched Operation Amistad in response to the back-to-back earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June, claiming more than 2,000 lives and causing widespread destruction. The humanitarian assistance — comprising a Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines, and medical equipment — reached Venezuela on 28 June.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the arrival of the consignment in a post on X: 'Indian assistance reaches Venezuela. Confident that the Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines and medical equipment will bolster ongoing post-earthquake relief efforts in the country.'

The MEA accompanied its posts with the messages: 'Caring for people. The Army Field Hospital remains committed to serving affected communities' and 'Healing lives. Serving humanity. The Army Field Hospital continues its humanitarian mission.'

Rising Death Toll and Scale of Destruction

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, who also heads the command centre for temporary relief camps, stated during a daily briefing on Wednesday that the death toll has climbed to 2,295, with 11,267 people injured. 'As of today, there are 2,295 fatalities and 11,267 injuries. We are currently counting 12,841 affected people,' Rodriguez said.

He added that 6,461 people had been rescued by more than 4,000 international and domestic rescue workers and volunteers. Rodriguez also urged health workers, security personnel, and firefighters to register on the Patria platform to address housing problems caused by the earthquakes.

India's Strategic Humanitarian Outreach

The deployment of a specialised Indian Army medical contingent to Venezuela underscores India's expanding humanitarian footprint in Latin America. Operation Amistad — with 'Amistad' meaning 'friendship' in Spanish — signals a deliberate diplomatic gesture alongside the relief effort. This comes amid India's broader 'Neighbourhood Plus' and Global South engagement, extending assistance well beyond its immediate region. The field hospital's visible impact on the ground, as reflected in patient testimonials, adds a human dimension to what is also a strategic relationship-building exercise.