CARACAS, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government is taking the necessary steps to coordinate international assistance after two devastating earthquakes struck the country, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Thursday.
"The country values the offers of international aid and is working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to manage and receive this much-needed support during these difficult times," Gil wrote in a post on Telegram.
Gil expressed gratitude for messages of solidarity sent by various governments and international organizations, as well as offers of technical and humanitarian assistance.
Countries in the region, including Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, have offered to cooperate with Venezuela in various areas to support recovery efforts, he said.
Nations from other parts of the world, including Iran, Azerbaijan, the United States, Türkiye, Jordan and Qatar, also expressed solidarity with Venezuela and their willingness to help.
Venezuela was hit Wednesday by two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, causing widespread destruction in the north-central state of La Guaira and severe damage in the Caracas metropolitan area. As of Thursday noon, the earthquakes had claimed at least 188 lives and injured more than 1,520, according to official data.
