President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo led the reception ceremony for the “Yumare” Humanitarian Aid Group, composed of 264 members and 18 canine teams from the Army, Air Force, and National Guard, which provided support to the population affected by the earthquakes recorded in Venezuela. During the mission, the contingent managed to rescue two people and two dogs alive, in addition to recovering the bodies of 92 victims, among other assistance actions.
“You showed the true face of Mexico: a Mexico that is solidary, fraternal, and deeply humanist; a Mexico that understands that no life is foreign and that the pain of a brotherly people also calls upon us,” the president expressed.
He added that the group’s work sent a message to the world about the importance of international cooperation and solidarity.
“That is the true essence of Mexico: not leaving anyone behind, not abandoning those who need us, and extending a hand without asking where the person who requires it comes from,” he stated.
During the ceremony, held at the Strategic Military Collection Center at the Santa Lucía Military Air Base, the President presented awards to the members of the group and received a letter of appreciation from the President of Venezuela, as well as the First Class Hero of Venezuela Medal, the highest distinction granted by that country to the Government of Mexico for its humanitarian work.
Sheinbaum highlighted that the group represented “the best of Mexico” during the mission.
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“Rescuing a life is a deeply human act; it is refusing to be indifferent in the face of others’ suffering, it is not giving up when hope still exists,” he/she pointed out.
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The contingent was made up of 264 personnel and 18 canine teams from the Army, the Air Force, and the National Guard, who worked in coordination with Venezuelan authorities on search, rescue, recovery of affected areas, and medical care tasks.
As part of the operation, a logistical air bridge was established through eight flights, which transported 20 tons of food supplies, medical supplies, cleaning items, and tools, in addition to 50 tons of aid sent by sea from the port of Veracruz on two Secretariat of the Navy vessels.
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Likewise, Mexico sent eight industrial electric power generation plants, with photovoltaic and fuel technology, capable of illuminating up to 5,000 square meters each.
In the medical field, four Army specialists performed emergency surgery on a member of the Venezuelan Armed Forces who presented with appendicitis, in addition to providing 2,059 medical consultations, first aid services, and distributing more than 13 tons of medication among the affected population.
For his part, the Secretary of National Defense, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, stated that the mission demonstrates that the greatness of a nation is also measured by its capacity for solidarity with other peoples.
He recalled that the DN-III-E Plan, through its international humanitarian aid component, has participated in 98 missions in 30 countries since 1996.
The military command also announced that, under instructions from the President, the Mexican Air Force will incorporate two C-130 Super Hercules aircraft, with a cargo capacity of 21 tons each, to strengthen humanitarian support operations.
At the ceremony, which was attended by the Venezuelan ambassador to Mexico, Stella Marina Lugo Betancourt, it was also reported that the Venezuelan government handed over the dog Laika to Mexico, which will join the Mexican Army starting today. Likewise, two members of Venezuela’s Civil Protection will travel to the country to train with the Mexican Army in search and rescue of people, accompanied by two canine teams.
The ambassador expressed her gratitude for the support provided by Mexico.
“You not only brought your experience and your work tools; you brought hope. You worked shoulder to shoulder with our civil protection personnel and with the Venezuelan people, demonstrating that when peoples unite, there is no challenge impossible to overcome,” he expressed.
