New Delhi: India has launched Operation Amistad, a humanitarian relief mission aimed at assisting earthquake-stricken Venezuela by dispatching an Indian Army field hospital, a specialised medical team and emergency relief supplies. The operation underscores India’s growing role as a global first responder during humanitarian crises and reflects its commitment to supporting countries affected by natural disasters.
As part of the mission, two Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster strategic transport aircraft departed for Venezuela carrying a 41-member medical contingent from the Army’s 60 Para Field Hospital, along with more than 35 tonnes of relief material. The contingent includes nine medical officers and is equipped to provide emergency healthcare services, trauma management, life-saving surgeries and other critical medical assistance to those affected by the devastating earthquakes.
The team is carrying nearly six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian aid supplied by the Ministry of External Affairs. One of the aircraft is also transporting the BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube, an advanced modular field hospital developed under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project.
The BHISHM Cube is designed for rapid deployment in disaster-hit areas. Built from 72 portable modules, it can be assembled within 12 minutes and is capable of treating up to 200 patients, including those requiring surgery. The portable hospital is equipped with modern medical infrastructure such as ventilators, ultrasound and X-ray machines, defibrillators, an operation theatre, a mini-intensive care unit (ICU), as well as independent power generation and oxygen supply systems. The facility is intended to provide life-saving treatment during the crucial “golden hour” following major disasters.
Announcing the mission on social media platform X, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that Operation Amistad was underway, confirming that two C-17 aircraft had departed with urgent humanitarian assistance for Venezuela. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Venezuelan government and its people during this challenging period.
The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) also confirmed the deployment, stating that the Army medical team had departed aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft to provide emergency medical support in the disaster-hit nation.
The operation presents significant logistical challenges due to the approximately 14,300-kilometre aerial distance between India and Venezuela, which exceeds the C-17 Globemaster’s operational range of around 4,400 kilometres. As a result, the aircraft will make multiple refuelling stops in friendly countries during the journey, as India currently lacks air-to-air refuelling capability for missions covering such long distances.
The humanitarian mission follows two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude that struck northern Venezuela. The twin quakes caused widespread destruction, leaving at least 235 people dead and more than 4,300 injured, while authorities warned that the casualty count could rise further. The Venezuelan government has declared the affected region a disaster zone and initiated a reconstruction fund to support recovery efforts.
The deployment comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the loss of lives and assured Venezuela of India’s full support. Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez thanked the Prime Minister for the offer of assistance. Alongside India’s efforts, the United States has also launched a humanitarian airlift through the United States Southern Command to aid the earthquake response.
Named after the Spanish word for “friendship,” Operation Amistad further strengthens India’s reputation for extending timely humanitarian assistance to countries facing natural disasters and emergencies across the world.
