India has launched a big humanitarian mission, “Operation Amistad” to help Venezuela after the South American nation was devastated by two powerful earthquakes that caused widespread destruction and heavy loss of life.
The word “Amistad” in Spanish means “friendship” and serves as the sign of India’s commitment to aiding Venezuela in a country that is experiencing one of its worst natural disasters in recent years. Two C-17 Globemaster aircraft arrived with humanitarian aid, medical supplies, BHISHM Cubes and a team of doctors from the Indian Army to help Venezuela’s health care workers and medical workers (two of them on board the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the area.
The External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar officially launched the operation on X and reaffirmed India's support for the people and government of Venezuela during the crisis.
Operation Amistad is now underway! Two IAF C-17s took off today to Venezuela with immediate assistance to assist in their post-earthquake relief efforts.
He added that the relief package includes a fully equipped Indian Army field hospital, over 35 tonnes of relief materials, medicines, medical equipment and two BHISHM Cubes under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project.
Operation Amistad underway!
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 26, 2026
Two @IAF_MCC C17s took-off today for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support their post-earthquake relief efforts.
The assistance contains an Indian Army @adgpi Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tons of relief supplies, medicines and medical… pic.twitter.com/Dcq8P065tp
What Is India Sending Under Operation Amistad?
The relief mission was conceived to address immediate medical and humanitarian needs in the earthquake-hit areas.
The Indian Army has deployed a medical contingent from the 60 Para Field Hospital, which departed from Hindon Air Force Station on two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft.
The contingent includes:
41 personnel, including nine medical officers. Emergency medical care and trauma treatment facilities. Life-saving surgical support. Around 6 tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs. Two BHISHM Cubes (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) that can rapidly establish advanced emergency healthcare facilities in disaster-hit areas.
The deployment is indicative of India’s growing contribution to global humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
A Tragedy Like Never Before
Two massive earthquakes struck Venezuela with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 within a minute on Wednesday, marking the country's worst earthquakes in over a century.
According to Venezuela's Health Ministry:
235 people have been confirmed dead. Over 1,500 people have been injured and tens of thousands are still unaccounted for.
The twin earthquakes caused widespread destruction in many areas, with Caracas and the coastal city of La Guaira in particular being the worst affected. A number of videos posted on social media in recent weeks showed buildings crashing down, roads destroyed and people running to safety as massive tremors rocked the country.
As a result of the disaster, interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide emergency and announced the creation of an initial USD 200 million reconstruction fund to rebuild damaged hospitals, homes, and public infrastructure.
Several countries such as the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Mexico have also extended humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. As a result, India has also taken part in the relief efforts of countries that are hit by major natural disasters with Operation Amistad and this is part of India’s humanitarian approach and commitment.
