The United States is deploying search and rescue teams to Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 164 people and injured around a thousand on Wednesday night, with the US Geological Survey warning the final death toll could be far higher.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deployment after speaking directly with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, saying collapsed buildings are the most immediate concern and that military assets will be used to get aid in because Caracas airport has been badly damaged.
The earthquakes struck about 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Caracas, with the second and larger quake measuring magnitude 7.5.
Allister Dsouza reports from Washington.
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Allister Dsouza in Washington says the rapid American response reflects a diplomatic realignment between Washington and Caracas, but that ordinary Venezuelans are pressing for more to be done.
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