After thanking God for still being alive, Venezuelan doctor Jenifer Moncada, director of the Community Health Area of the Santa Rosalía parish in Caracas, looked at the Cuban collaborators and told them:

«It is God reaching out through you.»

She then explained the reason for those words:

«From the very first moment we have worked together. There is an immense empathy between Venezuelan and Cuban professionals. We understand each other, we support each other, and we face the emergency as one team. That is also how it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were united saving lives, and today we do it again in the midst of this tragedy. You do not leave us alone.»

The afternoon of 24 June marked the start of an emergency that changed the routine of thousands of families in Caracas, following the recording of earthquakes in the Venezuelan capital. In the Santa Rosalía parish, where more than 33,000 families live, the health network did not stop for a second.

Dr Yamileth Medina, head of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Caracas, explains that health authorities requested the presence of Cuban professionals in nine shelters set up in schools, parks and other improvised spaces to protect those affected. Meanwhile, the 125 beds of the Comprehensive Diagnostic Centres remain active to receive rescued patients, the injured or people in emotional crisis after losing everything or not finding their relatives.

At the Ludovico Silva CDI in Santa Rosalía, care is continuous. Guantánamo doctor Yucel Ceiro Herrera recalls that she was on duty when the earthquakes began. Within minutes, and with the preparation that Cuba provides, the entire team went down and organised the triage, nursing and admission areas to attend to multiple trauma patients and those with panic attacks.

Nurse Yamila Cobas Rondón describes scenes that are not forgotten: injured children, with uncontrollable crying, anxiety and fear. Dr Lianne Valenzuela recounts that the elderly, in tears, repeated over and over: «Thank you for being here and giving us peace of mind.»

Today, for 24 hours, Cuban professionals remain active, guided by the maxim that distinguishes Cuban medical cooperation.

In the midst of the emergency, Cubans and Venezuelans work as a single health body. Without differences. Without distances. With a single priority: to save lives.