Israeli Military Leads National Reconstruction Plan in Venezuela After Devastating Earthquake

An Israeli delegation led by Brigadier General Elad Adri, head of the Home Front Command staff, has been working in Venezuela to develop a national plan for rebuilding areas damaged by a severe earthquake near Caracas. Unlike typical rescue missions, this team was tasked with creating a comprehensive strategy for demolishing unsafe buildings, clearing debris, and restoring infrastructure. The delegation's efforts began with mapping approximately 1,300 damaged structures, including residential buildings, schools, hotels, and public facilities, some located on steep slopes complicating demolition work.

Following meetings with senior Venezuelan officials and on-site assessments, the Israeli team quickly formulated a detailed plan emphasizing building safety, debris removal, infrastructure rehabilitation, and prioritizing construction waste recycling as requested by local authorities. This plan has been presented to Venezuela's Minister of Infrastructure, and engineering teams have started further mapping and preparations for implementation.

Despite the diplomatic break between Israel and Venezuela about 17 years ago, the delegation has received a warm reception from government officials, security forces, and local citizens. The team, operating in Israeli Defense Forces uniforms with local security escorts, also engaged with the local Jewish community of around 5,000 people, marking a rare interaction after years of separation. The delegation is expected to return to Israel early next week. The Israeli expertise in earthquake response and recent emergency operations underpinned the plan's development, which has now been handed over to the Venezuelan government for execution.