“The medical team from 60 Para Field Hospital departed in the afternoon of June 26 from Hindon Air Force Station and is currently en route to Venezuela aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft,” a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
India launches Operation Amistad to aid earthquake-hit Venezuela with emergency medical support
India has moved swiftly to extend humanitarian assistance to Venezuela after a devastating earthquake struck the northern part of the country, with the Indian Army sending a specialised medical contingent under Operation Amistad to support relief and emergency response efforts. The Indian Army’s medical team from the 60 Para Field Hospital departed from Hindon Air Force Station on June 26 and is currently travelling to Venezuela aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, the Ministry of Defence said.
“The medical team from 60 Para Field Hospital departed in the afternoon of June 26 from Hindon Air Force Station and is currently en route to Venezuela aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft,” a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
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The contingent includes 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, equipped to provide emergency healthcare support, trauma management, life-saving surgical assistance and other critical medical services for people affected by the earthquake.
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The team is carrying nearly six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Operation Amistad underway!
Two @IAF_MCC C17s took-off today for Venezuela with urgent assistance to support their post-earthquake relief efforts.
The assistance contains an Indian Army @adgpi Field Hospital Unit and over 35 tons of relief supplies, medicines and medical… pic.twitter.com/Dcq8P065tp
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 26, 2026
The Indian Air Force is deploying two C-17 Globemaster aircraft for the mission. The aerial distance between India and Venezuela is around 14,300 km, while the Globemaster has a range of about 4,400 km.
Although the aircraft can be refuelled in the air, India does not have the required refuelling support, and the aircraft will make stops at friendly countries along the route for refuelling, sources said.
OPERATION AMISTAD: INDIA DEPLOYS SPECIALISED INDIAN ARMY MEDICAL CONTINGENT TO EARTHQUAKE-HIT VENEZUELA
‘Compartimos su dolor. Estamos con ustedes.’
Responding swiftly to the devastating earthquake in northern Venezuela, #India has launched Operation Amistad, deploying a… pic.twitter.com/Yg1m58CCho
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 26, 2026
One of the aircraft is also transporting a BHISHM Cube under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project.
The indigenous rapidly deployable modular medical facility has been designed for disaster and humanitarian operations. It can be assembled into a functional field hospital capable of providing advanced trauma care, emergency surgeries, intensive care support and essential treatment for up to 200 patients.
The facility includes portable ventilators, patient monitors, diagnostic systems, surgical equipment, power generation and oxygen support systems.
The deployment under Operation Amistad reflects India’s continued focus on providing support to partner nations during emergencies.
“The dispatch of the medical contingent under Operation Amistad reflects India’s enduring commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and its readiness to extend timely support to friendly nations in times of crisis,” the spokesperson said.
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