Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the US "stands with the people of Venezuela" after twin earthquakes struck and devastated the country.

"At President Trump’s direction, I immediately mobilized the War Department to work alongside the @StateDept to support the Venezuelan people," Hegseth wrote on X.

"Our mission is clear: save lives and rapidly deliver critical aid where it is most needed.

"The United States is committed to our hemisphere. When the lives of our friends are on the line, America moves," he wrote.

America’s premier search teams are headed to Venezuela to help find and rescue survivors among the rubble.

USA-01 and USA-02  — from Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue in Virginia and from Los Angeles — were activated within hours of the deadly quakes.

USA-01 is now waiting to fly 79 team members, 70,000 pounds of equipment and six sniffer dogs into the disaster zone.

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The death toll from the historic earthquakes is now at 188, Jorge Rodriguez, the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly announced.

At least 1,500 people are injured and thousands more missing as crews from around the world race to the scene in the hopes of reaching those trapped in the rubble.

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez thanks President Donald Trump in a social media post for "the helping hand" provided since the earthquakes hit Venezuela.

"We thank U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, who have been in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities, offering support and solidarity to the people of Venezuela in the face of this tragedy that has plunged us into mourning," she wrote on X Thursday morning.

"Venezuela will never forget the helping hand extended to our people during these difficult times," she said in a follow-up message.

Rodríguez also reposted Trump's Truth Social post from Wednesday night where he announced that the "U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!"

The president said that he had "instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly."

"We will be there for our new and great friends," he said.

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has expressed her gratitude for the US after speaking with Secretary Marco Rubio.

"I have held a phone call with the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Marco Rubio, who has expressed his solidarity and support toward the Venezuelan people in these difficult moments for our nation," Rodríguez wrote on X in the early hours of the morning.

"We are grateful for this expression of solidarity toward Venezuela at such a complex stage, marked by the impact of the natural catastrophe that has affected several regions of the national territory."

A search-and-rescue team from Virginia is being deployed to Venezuela to help in rescue efforts after two earthquakes rocked the country.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team from Fairfax County, is "mobilizing an 80-person, 6-dog heavy" team, it announced on X Thursday.

It is part of the State Department's response to the devastating twin earthquakes.

The Pentagon is ready to support Venezuela after two disastrous earthquakes rocked the country.

"The Department of War stands ready to support the Government of Venezuela and the U.S. Department of State as it leads the U.S. Government's response to yesterday's devastating earthquakes," Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs Sean Parnell announced on X.

"Our forces are prepared to move quickly, bringing the unmatched airlift, logistics, and operational capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis."

US Southern Command announced it was on its way to help provide relief in Venezuela in the wake of the earthquakes. 

“As directed by the Department of War, U.S. Southern Command is currently working with the Department of State to support U.S. government relief operations in Venezuela in response to yesterday's devastating earthquakes,” a statement posted on X read. 

“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis.

“The command has established an operational planning team that includes experienced subject matter experts from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, who are advising staff and leadership responsible for disaster relief planning and mission-related decisions. 

“The command has also initiated close coordination with other partners and allies in the region who have pledged to join the international assistance underway to aid the people of Venezuela in their time of need.”

Based in Doral, Greater Miami, SOUTHCOM is responsible for U.S. Military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. 

Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Department of War -- led by Pete Hegseth -- would play a “big logistical role” in the American response to the crisis. 

The US will be providing search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday evening.   

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered up first responders to help Venezuela in its search-and-rescue operations after two deadly earthquakes.

"It is with great sadness that I learned about the aftermath of the earthquakes in Venezuela and the loss of life they have caused," Zelensky wrote before offering his condolences "to all affected families."

"I wish a speedy recovery to everyone injured and strength to all those searching through the rubble and working to save lives," he wrote.

"Ukraine hopes that the world will find ways to help the Venezuelan people in this tragic situation, and we stand ready to assist – our first responders could join the search-and-rescue operations.

"We are now in communication with the Venezuelan side and the Europeans, awaiting the response to our proposal," Zelensky concluded.

The deadly earthquakes that rocked Venezuela may have triggered a shake in Japan, although it is more likely to have been a coincidence, an expert told The Post. 

In addition to the two back-to-back quakes that caused devastation in Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, two other strong tremors hit across the world in less than 24 hours. 

A 5.6-magnitude tremor struck in Northern California at 8:10 a.m. PT Wednesday, with minor injuries and power outages reported. 

Meanwhile, a powerful 6.9-magnitude seism hit off the coast of Japan shortly after the earthquakes in Venezuela. 

Earthquake scientist Judith Hubbard of Cornell University said it was possible those two events were linked. 

“The earthquake in California is for sure not related,” she said. “Too small, too far away, too far apart in time.

“The earthquake in Japan is slightly less obvious. 

“That is because the early earthquake waves from Venezuela did arrive in Japan some minutes before the Japan M6.9 earthquake started. 

“There is a phenomenon called ‘dynamic triggering’ that can in some rare cases lead to one earthquake on one side of the world triggering another earthquake somewhere far away.

“That being said, the M6.9 occurred in a location that is quite close to a M7.6 earthquake about six months ago, and the area has been pretty seismically active. 

“So it seems much more likely that the timing of the M6.9 is coincidence.”

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has revealed what aid is being sent to Venezuela after the devastating earthquakes.

"300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicines, and essential supplies, are ready to depart for Caracas," Bukele posted on X.

He also said the country has "offered assistance to the Government of Venezuela through our Foreign Ministry."

The United Nations emergency relief chief has labeled the Venezuelan earthquakes "devastating" and announced "we'll need all hands on deck."

UN Emergency Relief chief Tom Fletcher said he is "in close contact with our team in Caracas to ensure full and urgent response, including search and rescue support and emergency relief for survivors."

"International solidarity coming in," Fletcher said. "We’ll need all hands on deck."