Venezuela Concludes Rescue Mission in Dominica

The Venezuelan international civilian-military rescue and humanitarian assistance brigade, named after liberator Simon Bolivar, has completed its 10-day logistical support project in Dominica after it was wrecked by Hurricane Maria.

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Nestor Reverol, Venezuela's Minister for Internal Relations, Justice and Peace, reported on his Twitter account that the crew returned home on Saturday. He also detailed the successful mission undertaken by the humanitarian task force last month.

"We are proud of the work of our Humanitarian Task Force Simon Bolivar with the peoples of the world. Congratulations!" Reverol noted on his social network page.

One of the missions conducted by the brigade included the rescue of a family of four that was trapped inside of a vehicle for five days near the town of Castle Bruce. They were also treated for mild dehydration.

Apart from providing medical assistance to three Brazilian diplomats in Dominica, the humanitarian team also provided similar aid to the people of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Martin and other Caribbean nations affected by Category 5 Hurricane Maria and other storms that passed over the region last month.

This humanitarian body was created on June 3, 2005, by former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as a way to offer solidarity assistance to nations affected by natural disasters.

Weeks after the task force was formed, Chavez offered 120 rescue and first aid experts, two mobile hospital units, 50 tons of food, 10 water purification plants, 18 power generation plants and other vital supplies to the people of New Orleans after the levees broke during the passage of Hurricane Katrina, leaving more than 1,800 people dead.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush, however, swiftly rejected Chavez's offer.

Hurricane Maria caused severe destruction to infrastructure in Dominica and killed at least 30 people.