Operation Amistad: Indian Army Field Hospital Begins 24×7 Services in Quake-Hit Venezuela

India has intensified its humanitarian assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela as an Indian Army field hospital deployed under Operation Amistad has become fully operational in Caracas. The medical facility is providing free round-the-clock healthcare services to people affected by the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week.

The field hospital has been set up at the International La Rinconada Racetrack in Caracas, where a team of experienced Indian medical personnel is treating survivors and supporting local emergency response efforts. The Indian Embassy in Venezuela said the camp is open 24 hours and all services are free, reflecting India’s immediate humanitarian commitment during a major disaster.

The operation comes after Venezuela was hit by powerful earthquakes reported at 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, among the strongest to strike the country in more than a century. The death toll has reportedly risen to around 1,450, with thousands injured and large numbers affected or displaced.

Under Operation Amistad, India deployed two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying around 66 tonnes of humanitarian aid. The cargo included an Indian Army field hospital, more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines, medical equipment and two BHISHM Cubes, which are mobile emergency medical units designed to provide rapid healthcare support during disasters and crises.

This mission also highlights India’s growing ability to conduct long-distance Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. The IAF aircraft flew from Delhi to Caracas across more than 14,000 km, showing India’s strategic airlift capability and its readiness to deliver medical relief across continents.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Operation Amistad is underway and that the Army field hospital is extending a caring hand to those impacted by the earthquake. Venezuelan officials, including the Vice Health Minister and the head of the Government of the Capital District, visited the Indian field hospital, underlining the importance of India’s assistance in the ongoing relief effort.

The deployment is also significant from a diplomatic point of view. India’s assistance to Venezuela strengthens its image as a reliable first responder in global emergencies. In recent years, India has used its military transport aircraft, medical teams, naval platforms and emergency relief supplies to support countries affected by earthquakes, cyclones, floods, pandemics and other humanitarian crises.

For the Indian Army, Operation Amistad demonstrates the value of military medical capability beyond the battlefield. Field hospitals are designed for fast deployment, emergency treatment, trauma care, stabilisation and support to civilian populations during disasters. In Venezuela, the Army medical team is now directly contributing to lifesaving care at a time when local health systems are under heavy pressure.

Overall, Operation Amistad represents India’s humanitarian diplomacy in action. It combines the operational strength of the Indian Armed Forces with the diplomatic outreach of the Ministry of External Affairs, delivering medical assistance where it is urgently needed. The mission sends a clear message that India stands with partner nations during natural disasters and is prepared to use its capabilities for global welfare.