Operation Amistad: PM Modi lauds Indian medical team in earthquake-hit Venezuela
Synopsis
On National Doctors' Day, PM Modi spotlighted India's field hospital in earthquake-ravaged Venezuela — where over 1,400 have died after twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes. Under Operation Amistad, Indian Army medics are delivering care that locals say they haven't seen in 60 years, marking one of India's most visible humanitarian missions in Latin America.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi praised the Indian medical team in Venezuela on National Doctors' Day, 1 July 2025 , calling their work under Operation Amistad a 'shining example.' Twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on 24 June 2025 , killing over 1,400 people .
Indian humanitarian assistance, including a Field Hospital Unit , medicines, and relief supplies, reached Venezuela on 28 June 2025 .
The field hospital is operated by the Indian Army and provides free treatment and emergency transport to survivors.
External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar confirmed the assistance arrival, expressing confidence it would support ongoing relief efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 July 2025 — National Doctors' Day — praised Indian doctors and medical professionals deployed in earthquake-devastated Venezuela under Operation Amistad, calling their humanitarian service a 'shining example' of how medical professionals rise to meet a national crisis.
What Modi Said
'Today, as we mark Doctors' Day, I would like to appreciate all the doctors and medical professionals from India who are tirelessly working in Venezuela, as a part of Operation Amistad. In such a challenging time, their efforts to serve those in need are shining examples of how medical professionals rise to the occasion every time our society faces a challenge,' Modi said in a post on X.
The tribute came as the Indian medical team continued to operate a field hospital established by the Indian Army, providing free treatment, medicines, and emergency transport to earthquake survivors.
Background: Twin Earthquakes and Operation Amistad
India launched Operation Amistad in response to twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2025, claiming over 1,400 lives and causing widespread destruction. Indian humanitarian assistance — including a Field Hospital Unit, relief supplies, medicines, and medical equipment — reached Venezuela on 28 June 2025.
Announcing the arrival, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted 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.'
Venezuelans Express Gratitude
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday shared multiple videos from the field hospital, showing patients receiving treatment and expressing thanks to the Indian team. One local resident described her experience receiving care, saying, 'I am deeply grateful. I haven't seen such medical attention in 60 years.' She added that the Indian team had arranged an ambulance to take her home after treatment — a gesture she called extraordinary.
'We are one people, and that is most important. We have this wonderful team standing with us,' she said as she boarded the ambulance, again conveying her 'deepest gratitude' to Indian defence personnel at the hospital.
A second resident similarly thanked India for establishing the facility, noting that medicines were provided at no cost. 'The hospital that you have installed here has been very helpful for the local community. I am thankful to your country,' she said.
Significance of the Mission
Operation Amistad marks one of India's most visible humanitarian deployments in Latin America in recent years. The name — 'Amistad' meaning friendship in Spanish — reflects the diplomatic intent alongside the relief mission. Notably, India's rapid response within days of the earthquakes underscores the country's growing capacity for expeditionary humanitarian operations, following similar deployments in Turkey (2023) and Nepal (2015).
With relief operations ongoing, the field hospital is expected to remain active as Venezuela continues post-earthquake recovery efforts.
Point of View
Particularly at a time when India is actively cultivating its Global South credentials. What mainstream coverage underplays is the speed of the response: assistance landed in Venezuela just four days after the earthquakes, suggesting pre-positioned capability or rapid inter-ministerial coordination. The local testimonials — including one resident saying she had not seen such medical attention in 60 years — point to a genuine service gap that India has stepped into, with reputational dividends that will outlast the mission itself.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Amistad?
Operation Amistad is India's humanitarian mission to earthquake-hit Venezuela, involving the deployment of an Indian Army field hospital, medicines, relief supplies, and medical equipment. It was launched in response to twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2025, killing over 1,400 people.
Why did PM Modi praise Indian doctors on 1 July 2025?
PM Modi used National Doctors' Day on 1 July 2025 to acknowledge Indian medical professionals deployed in Venezuela under Operation Amistad. He described their service in a disaster zone as a 'shining example' of how medical professionals respond when society faces a crisis.
When did Indian aid reach Venezuela?
Indian humanitarian assistance, including the Field Hospital Unit, medicines, and relief supplies, reached Venezuela on 28 June 2025 — four days after the twin earthquakes struck on 24 June 2025.
What did External Affairs Minister Jaishankar say about the mission?
EAM S. Jaishankar confirmed the arrival of Indian assistance in 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.'
How have Venezuelans responded to the Indian medical team?
Locals at the Indian Army field hospital have expressed deep gratitude. One resident said she had not seen such medical attention in 60 years, while another noted that medicines were provided free of cost and called the hospital 'very helpful for the local community.'
