The earthquake in Choco, about 313km west of Bogota capital, caused severe damage in Bogota as well as central and western cities including Medellin, Cali, Pereira and Manizales.
Vietnam reaffirmed its role as a proactive, responsible and reliable member of the international community during the week of July 6–12 through humanitarian assistance, economic diplomacy and regional cooperation.
Supporting Venezuela in responding to the earthquake was not only an international responsibility but also an expression of solidarity and goodwill of the Vietnamese State and people.
The resolution sets out a vision of enabling Vietnam's "heartbeat to resonate with that of the world, breathe in step with the spirit of the times, contribute to peace shaping, foster prosperity, and build a stronger and higher international standing for the country and nation.”
The earthquake may have broken some of the strongest concrete steel, yet it failed to extinguish the kindness or the resilience forged in solidarity. Together, the La Guaira locals are enduring their longest days, held together by hands that refuse to let go.
Through Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez sent a letter of gratitude and presented the "Hero of Venezuela" medal to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.
Without a word of resentment toward fate, the mother dropped to her knees, grasped the bloodied, scarred hands of a Vietnamese military engineer and repeatedly whispered through sobs: "Gracias, Vietnam!... Gracias..." ("Thank you, Vietnam!")
Vietnamese rescuers pulled seven more bodies from the rubble after twin earthquakes in Venezuela. They also worked with local authorities to identify and hand over 12 locations where victims are suspected to remain buried. The mission has so far recovered a total of 30 bodies from collapsed structures.
At the field meeting, Ambassador My inquiried about the team’s living and working conditions and commended the sense of responsibility, determination, and resilience demonstrated by officers and soldiers of the contingent. He emphasised that Vietnam’s deployment of search and rescue forces to assist Venezuela in overcoming natural disaster consequences is a noble gesture, reflecting a strong spirit of international solidarity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ministry of National Defence’s conference assigning tasks to personnel participating in the humanitarian and disaster-relief mission, Major General Ty, who is head of the Vietnamese military mission to Venezuela, also stressed that the deployment reflects Vietnam’s commitment to international solidarity and humanitarian responsibility.
An 82-member military contingent was assigned to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Venezuela, marking Vietnam’s third overseas military deployment for international disaster response.
Reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to its traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Venezuela, Ambassador Vu Trung My said tourism collaboration serves as an effective bridge to further enhance ties between their peoples.