arts
South Florida first responders who raced to Venezuela after deadly earthquakes return to Miami
By Steven Yablonski at CBS4 Miami
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
First responders from South Florida who raced to Venezuela in the aftermath of the devastating and deadly earthquakes in Venezuela at the end of June have returned home after a weeklong deployment.Members of Florida's Task Force 1 and Task Force 2 (FL-TF1 and FL-TF2) spent the week helping with the
Key takeaway Members of Florida's Task Force 1 and Task Force 2 (FL-TF1 and FL-TF2) spent the week helping with the search-and-rescue operations, working alongside Venezuela's Urban Search and Rescue teams and other international partners.
Why this matters in The Miami
The return of South Florida's first responders from Venezuela is a poignant reminder of the strong ties between Miami and the Venezuelan community. As home to one of the largest Venezuelan populations in the US, the earthquakes that devastated Venezuela resonated deeply in Miami's neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Little Havana and other hubs of Latin American culture. The personal connection felt by task force members, such as Captain German Leal, who searched through the rubble of his childhood neighborhood, underscores the complexity of disaster response when it involves a community with strong local roots. The outpouring of support at Miami International Airport, with friends and family welcoming the task force members back, reflects the sense of solidarity and gratitude that defines Miami's relationship with its international neighbors. As the city continues to support relief efforts, the experience of its first responders will likely inform and deepen Miami's response to future disasters affecting its diverse communities.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? First responders from South Florida who raced to Venezuela in the aftermath of the devastating and deadly earthquakes in Venezuela at the end of June have returned home after a weeklong deployment.Members of Florida's Task Force 1 and Task Force 2 (FL-TF1 and FL-TF2) spent the week helping with the
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Steven Yablonski at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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