Trump admin blasts Machado's "grotesque political opportunism" after Venezuela quakes

Three Americans have died in the recent earthquakes that struck Venezuela, according to the U.S. State Department. The agency confirmed the fatalities to NewsNation’s Hannah Brandt, stating that its consular team is working with the families of the deceased and offering assistance. Additionally, the State Department reported that approximately 12 Americans might still be missing following the quakes, which occurred last week. The department expressed deep condolences for the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to aiding Venezuela during this crisis. According to Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, the earthquakes have resulted in 1,719 deaths, with 5,034 people injured and 12,402 receiving medical care. The tremors affected 855 buildings, 189 of which collapsed completely. More than 100 individuals who had recently been deported from the United States to Venezuela are among those missing after the quakes damaged their hotel in La Guaira, as reported by The Associated Press. In response to the disaster, an international coalition of governments has sent aid workers and financial support to Venezuela. Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed leadership after U.S. forces removed her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, in January, thanked several countries for their contributions. The U.S. State Department announced that it has allocated over $300 million toward relief efforts in Venezuela, channeling funds through trusted international and non-governmental organizations including Samaritan’s Purse, Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the Red Cross. The U.S. Southern Command is actively supporting relief operations in Venezuela, deploying multiple assets and personnel to assist in recovery efforts. The U.S. military has worked to restore the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas to facilitate international relief operations. According to the State Department, the U.S. Air Force has sent a specialized expeditionary airfield management team to support tower and ground operations, ensuring that humanitarian flights can land safely, unload cargo efficiently, and deliver essential supplies to those in need. The State Department has urged concerned family members of Americans potentially affected by the earthquakes to reach out using specific phone numbers depending on their location. These numbers provide direct access to the department for updates and assistance. The situation in Venezuela has also become politically charged, particularly concerning María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure who has sought to return to the country despite resistance from U.S. officials. Top members of the Trump administration have criticized Machado’s attempts to return to Venezuela as "grotesque political opportunism," arguing that her actions create unnecessary complications during a time of crisis. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient who previously presented the award to former President Donald Trump, was a key figure in the opposition movement that challenged Maduro’s rule. However, after Maduro was ousted by U.S. forces in January, Machado has faced challenges in returning to Venezuela. Her efforts to re-enter the country have drawn criticism from within the U.S. government, with some officials expressing frustration over her persistent lobbying for support to return home. Recent attempts by Machado to travel to Venezuela have encountered obstacles, including a failed attempt to board a flight to Caracas from Panama, which was denied by Copa Airlines. These incidents have created confusion and internal friction within the State Department, which maintains an officially neutral stance regarding Machado’s desire to return. Despite these challenges, Machado continues to advocate for her return, emphasizing her wish to assist Venezuelans affected by the earthquakes. As the situation unfolds, U.S. officials remain cautious about how Machado’s actions might influence the ongoing relief efforts and the broader political landscape in Venezuela. They stress the importance of focusing on the immediate needs of the affected population rather than allowing personal ambitions to overshadow the collective response to the disaster.