Operation Amistad: India thanks Venezuela for recognising earthquake relief mission
Synopsis
Forty-one Indian Army doctors and paramedics treated over 1,900 earthquake survivors in Venezuela under Operation Amistad — and received a formal farewell from the Venezuelan foreign minister himself. The mission, launched within days of the deadly June 24 twin quakes, is one of India's most visible humanitarian deployments in Latin America and a quiet but significant diplomatic win for New Delhi.
Key Takeaways
India launched Operation Amistad after twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on 24 June , killing over 2,900 people .
An Indian Army field hospital at La Rinconada treated more than 1,900 patients , including complex surgeries and dental care.
41 doctors and paramedics deployed on 27 June returned after the hospital closed on Monday, 7 July .
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil personally thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ambassador P.K.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the mission an 'honour,' describing it as a reflection of enduring bilateral friendship.
India on Wednesday, 8 July acknowledged Venezuela's gratitude for Operation Amistad, the humanitarian mission launched after twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on 24 June, killing over 2,900 people and causing widespread destruction. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the mission as an 'honour,' underscoring the enduring friendship between the two nations.
What Operation Amistad Delivered
India deployed 41 doctors and paramedics of the Indian Army, who arrived in Venezuela on 27 June — just three days after the earthquakes struck. The Army Field Hospital was established at La Rinconada and provided medical care ranging from complex surgeries to dental treatments. Over the course of its operations, the field hospital treated more than 1,900 affected people, according to a statement shared by Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Venezuela's Formal Farewell
A farewell ceremony was held at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in La Guaira, where Venezuela's Vice Minister for International Communication, Rander Pena, personally thanked the Indian medical staff and India's Ambassador to Venezuela, P.K. Ashok Babu. On Tuesday, Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil posted a formal message of gratitude on X, lauding the Indian team's work and extending thanks directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
'On behalf of the Bolivarian Government, we wish to express our most sincere gratitude to all the health professionals from the sister Republic of India, who provided care to the Venezuelan men and women affected by the earthquakes at the field hospital set up in La Rinconada, as part of Operation Friendship,' Gil wrote.
India's Response
'Thank you for your kind words. It was an honour to serve the people of Venezuela through Operation Amistad, reflecting the enduring friendship between our two countries,' MEA spokesperson Jaiswal posted on X in reply. The Indian Embassy in Venezuela also confirmed the mission's conclusion, noting that 'the medical team has won over the hearts and minds of the Venezuelan people during their week of operations.'
Mission Concluded, Ties Reinforced
The Army Field Hospital formally closed on Monday, marking the end of Operation Amistad. Videos shared by the MEA showed survivors and their families expressing gratitude for the care extended by Indian personnel. This mission represents one of India's most visible bilateral humanitarian deployments in Latin America in recent years, and analysts note it reinforces New Delhi's broader 'neighbourhood-plus' outreach strategy that now extends well beyond South Asia. The warmth of Venezuela's official response — from the foreign minister down to a formal airport farewell — signals that the mission achieved its diplomatic as much as its humanitarian objectives.
Point of View
But its strategic subtext deserves attention. India deploying a fully functional Army field hospital to Venezuela — a country in the Western Hemisphere with which it has limited trade ties — signals a deliberate effort to expand its humanitarian footprint in Latin America. Venezuela's foreign minister thanking Modi by name on X is not routine diplomatic courtesy; it is public political capital. For New Delhi, which has been deepening ties with the Global South, missions like Amistad cost relatively little but yield outsized visibility. The question is whether this goodwill translates into durable diplomatic and economic engagement, or remains a one-off gesture remembered only in farewell ceremonies.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Operation Amistad?
Operation Amistad was India's humanitarian relief mission to Venezuela following twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck on 24 June, killing over 2,900 people. The Indian Army established a field hospital at La Rinconada, where 41 doctors and paramedics treated more than 1,900 survivors over roughly a week.
When did Operation Amistad begin and end?
The Indian medical team arrived in Venezuela on 27 June, three days after the earthquakes. The Army Field Hospital formally closed on Monday, 7 July, marking the conclusion of the mission.
How did Venezuela respond to India's relief effort?
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil publicly thanked India's health professionals, Ambassador P.K. Ashok Babu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X. A formal farewell ceremony was also held at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in La Guaira, attended by Venezuela's Vice Minister for International Communication Rander Pena.
What did India's MEA say about Operation Amistad?
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was 'an honour to serve the people of Venezuela through Operation Amistad,' describing the mission as a reflection of enduring friendship between the two countries. The MEA also noted that the field hospital provided timely medical assistance and touched several lives.
Why is Operation Amistad significant for India-Venezuela relations?
It represents one of India's most prominent bilateral humanitarian deployments in Latin America in recent years. The mission and Venezuela's high-level public appreciation signal a strengthening of diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Caracas, and fits within India's broader strategy of humanitarian outreach to the Global South.
