Turkish Team in Earthquake Zone in Venezuela Awarded 'Hero' Medal

A meaningful ceremony was held for international aid teams in La Guaira, one of the most damaged areas in Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes, to honor their contributions. High-level officials, including Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, attended the ceremony. Jorge Rodriguez visited foreign search and rescue teams at La Guaira Port and presented the 'Venezuela Hero' medal to team leaders for their outstanding efforts in difficult debris removal operations. At this special ceremony, Turkish Armed Forces Humanitarian Aid Brigade Commander Brigadier General Mehmet Bahtiyar and AFAD Denizli Deputy Provincial Director Haluk Önay Erten also achieved the honor of receiving this prestigious medal.

The interest and appreciation shown by Venezuela to the Turkish team was not limited to human members; it was reinforced by awarding the 'Hero Dog of Venezuela' medal to 6 search and rescue dogs that successfully performed vital duties under the rubble. Turkey's Caracas Ambassador Naci Aydan Karamanoğlu stated in his speech at the ceremony that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez organized this meaningful thanksgiving ceremony for foreign search and rescue teams and that the success of the Turkish team was rewarded. Ambassador Karamanoğlu emphasized that diplomatic relations were strengthening by stating that Rodriguez handed over the thank-you letter he wrote to the Turkish state and President to be conveyed, and that this medal would be taken to Turkey.

According to Ambassador Karamanoğlu's statements, while presenting the medal, Rodriguez expressed his gratitude to the Turkish people and state administration, saying that Turkey standing by Venezuela from the first moments of the earthquake was a great source of gratitude. Accompanied by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, the visit boosted the morale and motivation of international teams based at La Guaira Port. In his speech to the search and rescue teams in the region, Rodriguez emphasized that the solidarity shown in this disaster situation was unforgettable and that the support provided by Turkey was life-saving.

The 'Venezuela Hero' medal, decided to be awarded by Venezuela, is an honorary medal specially created to be given to foreign search and rescue teams who served during earthquake disasters in the country and played an active role in life-saving operations. The receipt of this medal by Turkish Armed Forces Humanitarian Aid Brigade Commander Brigadier General Mehmet Bahtiyar and AFAD Denizli Deputy Provincial Director Haluk Önay Erten went down in history as an event that concretely reinforced humanitarian diplomacy between the two countries. Additionally, honoring the search and rescue dogs with this medal drew attention as a sign of how valuable and praiseworthy the work of rescue dogs, as well as humans, in disaster zones is.

Turkey's Caracas Ambassador Naci Aydan Karamanoğlu expressed his hope that such catastrophic disasters experienced by the Venezuelan people would not happen again, but emphasized that they would always stand by the Venezuelan people in similar situations. This ceremony demonstrated how important international aid work is and how friendly relations between the two countries can strengthen even further in difficult times. Rodriguez's message of thanks to the Turkish people and the medal presented to Turkey were entrusted to the Turkish team to be brought to the country and delivered to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.