Miami-Dade rescuers return home after Venezuela earthquake mission

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s urban search-and-rescue team returned to Miami International Airport after eight days in Venezuela, where its crews joined an international response to twin earthquakes that devastated communities near Caracas, La Guaira and other hard-hit areas.

The U.S. State Department activated Florida Task Force One, which left Homestead on Friday night, June 26, after Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava praised the team’s expertise. The 80-person Type I task force includes six specialized canine teams, along with specialists in command and control, technical search, structural evaluation and stabilization, planning, technical information, advanced medical care, hazardous materials mitigation, tactical communications, logistics, safety and technical rescue. Crews also carried water purification systems, generators and other equipment needed to stay self-sufficient when roads, utilities and local infrastructure fail.

Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah called the returning rescuers some of the county’s best. Captain German Leal, who grew up in Venezuela and now serves with Florida Task Force One, said the assignment carried special meaning because he usually visits the country on vacation to see family, but this time he was there in uniform and at work.

The earthquakes struck on June 24, 2026, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude less than a minute apart. By July 1, the United Nations said nearly 2,000 deaths had been confirmed and more than 6,400 people had been rescued, with roughly 1,000 buildings, including hospitals, and more than 400 schools and water systems damaged or destroyed, leaving tens of thousands without adequate shelter.

City of Miami officials said Florida Task Force Two was activated as well, bringing about 230 personnel overall, including physicians, structural engineers, hazardous material technicians and K-9 handlers.