MANAMAUS US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday expressed condolences following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela that has killed at least 164 people and injured more than 1,000 others.
Speaking after meetings with Gulf foreign ministers, Rubio said the United States stands with Venezuela during this difficult time and is prepared to provide all necessary assistance to support relief and recovery efforts.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction in Venezuela,” Rubio said. “The United States stands with the Venezuelan people in this challenging moment.”
Rubio said Washington has already dispatched humanitarian and emergency response teams to assist Venezuelan authorities and affected communities.
According to Venezuela’s acting president, the powerful earthquake has left more than 1,000 people injured, while the death toll has risen to 164 as rescue workers continue search-and-recovery operations.
Addressing regional issues, Rubio said he held constructive discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and pledged that their concerns would be given serious consideration in future policy decisions.
The secretary of state also reiterated the Trump administration’s position on the Strait of Hormuz, saying no tolls or transit taxes would be imposed on vessels using the strategic waterway.
Rubio added that President Donald Trump has a clear and firm stance on maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
Marco Rubio said that the United States will not accept the Strait of Hormuz being treated as the property of any single country, as Washington seeks a lasting agreement with Iran on its nuclear program.
Rubio said the United States wants a durable peace that does not undermine the security and prosperity of the US or its regional allies.
“We will ensure that no decision is made that harms the interests of our allies,” Rubio said, adding that any agreement with Iran must take into account the concerns and interests of Washington’s partners in the region.
The US secretary of state also announced that technical teams from the United States and Iran are scheduled to return to Switzerland on June 30 for further discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions-related issues.
Rubio said Washington remains committed to reaching a successful agreement with Iran and will take all necessary steps to achieve that goal. However, he stressed that the United States would not accept any claim that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz belongs to a single nation.
More read, Iran deal could take several more days, says Marco Rubio
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, serving as a key route for global oil and gas shipments.
