US Embassy in Caracas conducts helicopter evacuation drill

Military readiness exercise

The US Embassy in Caracas on Saturday conducted an evacuation drill involving two MV-22 Osprey military aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and horizontal flight. The exercise in the Baruta district saw fire and ambulance teams enter the diplomatic compound while military personnel flew around the embassy, which sits in a mountainous area of the Venezuelan capital.

"An American military response exercise is currently being conducted at the US Embassy in Caracas," the mission wrote on X, adding that maintaining rapid response capability remains essential for readiness both in Venezuela and worldwide. The aircraft carried out controlled flights above Caracas and performed landing operations at the embassy compound, according to statements from Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

Government coordination

Rodriguez said the activity was being carried out in coordination with Venezuelan aviation authorities responsible for authorizing and overseeing the drill flights. The interim president assumed her role after US President Donald Trump claimed in early January that American forces had conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela and captured former President Nicolas Maduro, according to the government narrative.

Street demonstrations

Before the drill commenced, a small group of demonstrators gathered in another part of Caracas to protest the exercise, displaying a Venezuelan flag reading "No to the Yankee drill." The protesters identified as supporters of late President Hugo Chavez, opposing the US military presence amid the ongoing political crisis.