President Donald Trump this week ordered federal agencies to prepare to assist Venezuela in the wake of major earthquakes that caused considerable damage to the country and inflicted numerous casualties.

As of Thursday morning, the death toll had exceeded 164.

"The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths," Trump posted on Truth Social. "The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!!!"

Earlier this year, Trump organized the extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from the country to stand trial on drug trafficking charges. The country's new leadership, under Delcy Rodriguez, has pursued a policy of rapprochement with Washington and Trump has sought to bring Caracas into the American fold.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.