Mexico City, Mexico — President Claudia Sheinbaum recognizes the Yumare group for its support to Venezuela after earthquakes. The group rescued dogs, people and recovered over 90 bodies.
“You showed the true face of Mexico, a Mexico of solidarity, fraternity, and profound humanism,” she said from the platform of the Strategic Military Collection Center.
The acting president of Venezuela awarded Mexico’s President Sheinbaum the “Hero of Venezuela First Class” medal. It is the highest recognition given by Venezulea for dedication and heroism in providing humanitarian assistance and aid within its territory.
President Claudia Sheinbaum received and recognized the “Yumare” group from the Ministry of National Defense for the support they provided to the people of Venezuela during the June 24 earthquakes.
“You showed the true face of Mexico, a Mexico that is supportive, fraternal and deeply humanist, a Mexico that understands that no life is foreign and that the pain of a brother people also calls us together because that is the essence of the people of Mexico: not to leave anyone behind, not to abandon those who need us, to extend a hand without asking where the person who needs it comes from.
“Their mission was also a message to the world, a message that cooperation between nations is still possible, that peace is built with concrete acts of solidarity, that justice also means protecting human life, and that love of neighbor continues to be one of the most powerful values that humanity can offer,” she said.
After awarding decorations for heroic valor, military merit, military distinction, and performance to the members of the “Yumare” group, comprised of 264 members and 18 canine teams, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces recalled that serving the homeland is also serving humanity and highlighted the role that each member played during the rescue efforts, which went beyond the mission and brought hope to the Venezuelan people.
President Sheinbaum expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Venezuela to the Mexican military personnel, as well as for the donation of “Laika,” a six-month-old Belgian Shepherd who will join the Mexican Army.
She affirmed that both nations share the conviction that countries are like brothers and sisters, offering support when one is in need.
In addition, two members of Venezuela’s Civil Protection team will arrive in Mexico with the dogs “Sol” and “Sara” to be trained by the Mexican Army in search and rescue.
During the ceremony, the commander of the Yumare Group presented the Mexican president with a letter from the acting president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, thanking the Mexican government for its support following the devastating earthquakes that affected various regions of the country.
The letter also included the “Hero of Venezuela First Class” medal, Venezuela’s highest honor for dedication and heroism in providing humanitarian assistance and aid within its territory.
The Secretary of National Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, highlighted that the Government of Mexico has sent Humanitarian Aid on 98 occasions since 1996 to 30 sister countries and pointed out that in the case of Venezuela, the rescue of 2 people, 2 dogs, the recovery of 92 bodies and the performance of 2,059 medical consultations were achieved.
The Venezuelan ambassador to Mexico, Stella Marina Lugo Betancourt, expressed her gratitude to President Claudia Sheinbaum for providing support from the very beginning of the tragedy, with the arrival of three planes from the Mexican Armed Forces during the first hours of the disaster, a brigade of 264 men and women; and 18 dogs that joined the search efforts.
In addition, the following was sent to the people of Venezuela:
More than 70 tons of food supplies, equipment and tools sent by air (through an air bridge with 8 flights) and sea (with 2 ships from the Mexican Navy), collected by the Venezuelan Embassy in Mexico and civil society.
Health: Distribution of more than 13 tons of medicines and the successful emergency surgery performed on a Venezuelan soldier in a mobile operating room of the Mexican Army.
Infrastructure: Delivery of 8 industrial photovoltaic/fuel power plants (coverage of 5,000 m² each).
