Following the devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes on June 24, the United States has deployed over 900 military personnel to Venezuela to spearhead ongoing search and rescue operations. US Southern Command Chief Gen. Francis Donovan highlighted the extraordinary shift in bilateral relations since the US abducted President Nicolas Maduro in January, marveling at “how this relationship has transformed since then.” Alongside Marines pulling victims from the rubble, the US is utilizing MQ-9 Reaper drones to share vital, real-time damage assessments with Venezuelan authorities. Addressing concerns about a long-term military footprint, Donovan firmly stated, “There is no plan or talk of staying here… we will leave when our work is done.”