SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico launched the first of several humanitarian aid flights to Venezuela on Wednesday, transporting nearly 7,000 pounds of medicine, food, generators, medical equipment and infant supplies for communities affected by the recent devastating earthquakes. The shipment departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan and is bound for Simón […]
SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico launched the first of several humanitarian aid flights to Venezuela on Wednesday, transporting nearly 7,000 pounds of medicine, food, generators, medical equipment and infant supplies for communities affected by the recent devastating earthquakes.
The shipment departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan and is bound for Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela.
The relief effort is the result of a collaboration among Aerostar Puerto Rico, Grupo VRDG, Droguería Betances, former Major League Baseball catcher Yadier Molina, Héctor Delgado (El Father) and Tito El Bambino, along with several nonprofit organizations and volunteers.
“At Aerostar, we provided the necessary resources and the expertise of our team to ensure these first flights could depart and arrive safely at their destination,” Aerostar Puerto Rico President Jorge Hernández said in a written statement.
According to organizers, the initiative has received logistical support and flight authorizations from both the U.S. federal government and the Puerto Rico government.
The humanitarian mission consists of three phases: collecting essential supplies, transporting them by air with federal authorization and distributing the aid directly to affected communities in Venezuela.
Organizers said two cargo flights departed Wednesday, with additional flights planned as more donations are received and emergency needs evolve.
“We recognized the urgent need for air transportation to deliver Puerto Rico’s aid to Venezuela, and everyone rolled up their sleeves to make it happen,” said Julio Cabral, chief executive officer of Grupo VRDG.
Cabral said the operation involved coordinating donated supplies, ground transportation, air cargo logistics and final delivery in Venezuela.
Once in Venezuela, the supplies will be received and distributed by nonprofit organizations, including Caritas Venezuela, with support from Yadier Molina.
Aerostar and Grupo VRDG are covering the cost of the cargo aircraft, meaning no public funds are being used for the flights, organizers said.
Droguería Betances donated medications and other essential products, while additional supplies were collected through public donations organized by the Fundación Azriel, led by Héctor Delgado, and supported by artists including Jowell Muñoz of the duo Jowell & Randy.
The cargo was transported aboard an Air Cargo Carriers aircraft.
The operation also involved coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera, and Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón.
Organizers continue encouraging the public to contribute at donation centers across Puerto Rico to help fill future humanitarian flights.
