Operation Amistad concludes: India's Army Field Hospital wins hearts in Venezuela
Synopsis
India's Army Field Hospital in Caracas wrapped up Operation Amistad after a week of treating survivors of Venezuela's deadliest twin earthquakes in recent memory — magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 on 24 June that killed over 3,300. Venezuela's Foreign Minister personally visited the facility and thanked PM Modi by name, signalling rare diplomatic warmth between two countries with historically quiet ties.
Key Takeaways
India's Operation Amistad HADR mission in Venezuela concluded on 7 July 2025 with the closure of the Army Field Hospital in Caracas .
The mission was triggered by twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 on 24 June , which killed over 3,300 people .
The field hospital was set up at the Caracas Racetrack and operated for approximately one week .
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil visited the facility and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by name for India's assistance.
Survivor Lizzet Rodriguez publicly thanked the Indian medical team for treating her son's fractured femur at the hospital.
India's Operation Amistad — the country's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission to earthquake-hit Venezuela — concluded on Monday, 7 July 2025, with the Army Field Hospital in Caracas formally closing after a week of operations. The mission was launched in the aftermath of twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June, claiming over 3,300 lives and causing widespread destruction across the country.
Mission Closure and Final Operations
The Embassy of India in Caracas confirmed the closure in an official post, stating: 'Operation Amistad — The Army Field Hospital closed this afternoon. The medical team has won over the hearts and minds of the Venezuelan people during their week of operations.' The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) echoed the sentiment, noting that the hospital 'touched several lives and provided timely medical assistance' over the course of its deployment.
The field hospital was set up at the Caracas Racetrack, offering what Venezuelan officials described as comprehensive and high-quality care to those affected by the seismic disaster.
Survivors Speak: Gratitude from the Ground
Several survivors and their families expressed heartfelt gratitude for the care extended by Indian medical personnel. Among them was Lizzet Rodriguez, whose son Anthony Aguilarte was treated for a fractured femur at the facility.
'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,' Rodriguez said.
Videos shared by the MEA showed multiple beneficiaries praising the Indian medical team, underscoring the goodwill generated by the mission on the ground.
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Visits the Hospital
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil personally visited the field hospital and expressed official gratitude on behalf of the Bolivarian Government. In a post on X, he wrote: 'Operation Friendship, carried out by our sister nation of India, has established a hospital centre at the Caracas Racetrack that provides comprehensive and high-quality care to all those affected by the tragedy of the double seismic event.'
Minister Gil also acknowledged Ambassador P.K. Ashok Babu, India's envoy to Venezuela, who accompanied him during the facility tour. He specifically thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'extending a helping hand to those who have suffered as a result of this calamity.'
India's HADR Footprint in the Region
Operation Amistad marks one of India's most visible HADR deployments in Latin America. The mission reflects New Delhi's broader 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Global South' outreach strategy, extended this time to a country with which India has historically maintained cordial but low-profile ties. Notably, the deployment came within 48 hours of the earthquakes — a logistical feat that drew attention from regional observers.
As the Army Field Hospital team prepares to return home, the mission's legacy is likely to strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Venezuela at a moment when Caracas faces significant international isolation.
Point of View
A country largely isolated from Western diplomatic circles, positions New Delhi as a credible partner for the Global South irrespective of geopolitical alignment. The Foreign Minister's public, name-specific thanks to PM Modi is the kind of diplomatic dividend that rarely emerges from HADR operations. What mainstream coverage underplays is the strategic timing: India is deepening its Latin American footprint precisely as it courts a larger role in multilateral forums. Whether this goodwill translates into durable bilateral engagement — trade, energy, or diaspora ties — remains the real test of the mission's long-term value.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Operation Amistad?
Operation Amistad was India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission to Venezuela, centred on an Army Field Hospital set up at the Caracas Racetrack. It was launched in response to twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2025, killing over 3,300 people.
When did Operation Amistad conclude?
The mission concluded on Monday, 7 July 2025, when the Army Field Hospital in Caracas was formally closed after approximately one week of operations.
What did Venezuela's government say about India's relief mission?
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil visited the field hospital and publicly thanked the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by name for extending assistance during the disaster. He described the mission as a 'moving demonstration of solidarity.'
Who were some of the people treated at the Indian Army Field Hospital?
Among those treated was Anthony Aguilarte, who received care for a fractured femur. His mother, Lizzet Rodriguez, publicly thanked the Indian medical team and the Government of India for their support during the crisis.
Why is Operation Amistad significant for India's foreign policy?
The mission represents one of India's most prominent HADR deployments in Latin America, extending New Delhi's 'Global South' outreach to a country with which it has historically maintained low-profile ties. The rapid deployment and the Venezuelan Foreign Minister's personal appreciation signal a strengthening of bilateral goodwill.
