Topos Azteca remains in Venezuela after June earthquakes

President Claudia Sheinbaum received and recognized the “Yumare” group of the Secretariat of National Defense for its assistance to the people of Venezuela after the earthquakes of June 24. He highlighted that the mission showed a supportive, fraternal and humanistic Mexico.

“You showed the true face of Mexico, a supportive, fraternal and deeply humanistic Mexico,” expressed Sheinbaum from the Military Strategic Collection Center in Zumpango, State of Mexico.

The group was made up of 264 elements and 18 canophilous binomials. During the work, 2 people were rescued, 92 bodies were recovered and 2,059 medical consultations were carried out, according to the Secretary of Defense, Ricardo Trevilla.

Humanitarian aid to Venezuela

Mexico sent more than 70 tons of groceries, supplies and tools through an airlift of 8 flights and 2 Semar ships. 13 tons of medicines were also distributed and emergency surgery was performed on a Venezuelan soldier in a mobile operating room of the Mexican Army. In addition, 8 industrial light plants were delivered with coverage of 5 thousand m² each.

The Venezuelan ambassador to Mexico, Stella Marina Lugo, thanked the support from the first hours of the incident. As a gesture of reciprocity, Venezuela donated to Mexico “Laika”, a 6-month-old Belgian shepherd who will join the Mexican Army. In addition, two members of the Venezuelan civil protection will arrive with the dogs “Sol” and “Sara” to be trained in search and rescue.

Sheinbaum received a letter from the president in charge of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, and the “First Class Hero of Venezuela” award, the highest recognition for humanitarian assistance. The president stressed: “Her mission was a message that cooperation between nations is still possible.”

Operational in San Juan del Río

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) reported the arrest of a man accused of illegally felling a strawberry tree in the municipality of San Juan del Río, Querétaro. The subject was placed at the disposal of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), along with the chainsaw used and the forestry material obtained.

The events occurred on July 2 in the Dolores de Enmedio ejido. Profepa personnel carried out surveillance tasks in coordination with the “Forest Assets” Participatory Environmental Surveillance Committee. Upon hearing the operation of a chainsaw, the inspectors deployed an operation with the support of a drone and ground tours.

Investigation in progress

Upon arriving at the site, officials found the person cutting down an arbutus tree that had survived a forest fire. Profepa pointed out that the action occurred in flagrante delicto and could constitute a crime against biodiversity for affecting protected forest resources.

The agency indicated that the case will be investigated by the Federal Public Ministry to determine responsibilities. The identity of the detainee was not revealed, although images were released of the moment he was located next to the affected tree and with the tool used for felling.

A rapidly spreading disaster

A large fire consumed part of the town of San José de Comondú, in Baja California Sur. The preliminary balance is 25 homes destroyed and damage to at least another 50. The material losses are considerable.

The incident forced dozens of families to evacuate. For more than 12 hours, firefighters, brigade members, military elements and emergency bodies worked to avoid a greater misfortune.

According to municipal authorities, the fire was allegedly caused by negligence during the burning of palm tree waste, a common practice among residents. The mayor of Comondú, Roberto Pantoja Castro, pointed out that the windy conditions, high temperatures and abundant vegetation favored the rapid spread of the flames, which in a few minutes got out of control.

Response from the authorities

Local authorities activated emergency protocols to care for the victims and assess the damage. It is expected that inspections of affected homes will be carried out and support will be provided to evacuated families.

The community of San José de Comondú faces a difficult panorama. Many families lost their homes and require urgent assistance. The authorities have called for the solidarity of the population to help those affected.