The Daily Journal — Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, met with Luke Lindberg, Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to review the bilateral cooperation agenda and coordinate recovery efforts following the earthquake that struck the country on June 24, according to a statement from the Presidential Press Office.
According to the official report, the bilateral meeting focused on establishing joint working mechanisms and reviewing the technical and logistical operations conducted by U.S. assistance agencies in the affected areas.
Diplomatic representatives and crisis management officials from both countries participated in the technical session. The U.S. delegation included John M. Barrett, Chargé d’Affaires to Venezuela, and Ryan Shrum, Senior Official with the State Department’s Office of Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance.
Representing the Venezuelan government were Oliver Blanco, Vice Minister for Europe and North America, and Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly and head of the High Command for the Creation of Temporary Camps.
Focus on biosecurity and food management
The Presidential Press Office said participants also reviewed biosecurity protocols and food production support, two areas that fall within Under Secretary Lindberg’s international responsibilities.
“Under Secretary Lindberg, who also leads international agricultural biosecurity and cooperation policies, reviewed progress in humanitarian assistance management with Venezuelan authorities to strengthen bilateral mechanisms that will support recovery in the areas affected by the earthquakes,” the official statement said.
The meeting forms part of the broader international coordination efforts underway in Caracas to accelerate the stabilization of public services, ensure the delivery of essential supplies, and improve logistics at the temporary camps.
Based on information provided by the Presidential Press Office.
