Vladimir Castillo Soto of the Simón Bolívar Institute for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples, Venezuela. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

He recalled:

June 24 was a special day. That morning, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung was on an official visit to Venezuela. The Vietnamese delegation laid flowers before President Ho Chi Minh’s statue and observed a solemn moment of silence at the Simón Bolívar Mausoleum. The songs of Alí Primera echoed through the air, and melodies celebrating brotherhood remained deeply moving.

At 6:04 p.m. on June 24, 2026, Caracas was shaken by twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale. Simón Bolívar International Airport was devastated, while death and destruction spread across the city.

In the days that followed, we were deeply anxious. Amid the ruins, I constantly checked the news. My heart overflowed with emotion when I read that, on the night of June 28, 124 Vietnamese rescuers and doctors had set out for Venezuela. They flew halfway around the world, bringing not only personnel but also sniffer dogs and dozens of tons of equipment.

I fell silent and reflected:

Viet Nam may not yet be the wealthiest nation in terms of material riches, but you are the richest in loyalty and in genuine solidarity. Those 124 people brought with them more than relief equipment; they carried “the embrace of comradeship and brotherhood.” They came from a people who have endured the full measure of the suffering of war. They understand the value of life.

Viet Nam sent forces to provide humanitarian assistance following the June 24, 2026 earthquake in Venezuela. (Photo: KT)

On July 6, 2026, under a decision signed by Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, the Vietnamese delegation was awarded the first-class “Hero of Venezuela” Medal, while all 124 members of the delegation received the second-class “Hero of Venezuela” Medal.

This is a highly prestigious honor. But our affection for them is even greater.

Watching Vietnamese soldiers quietly and tirelessly dig through every piece of rubble, I thought of the past. A thread of history has bound our two peoples closely together. My generation has not forgotten the fiery year of 1960. At that time, the United States was relentlessly waging an unjust war in Viet Nam. The Vietnamese people became a symbol of indomitable heroism, but also endured immense suffering. Standing on the side of humanity’s conscience and Vietnamese values, the Venezuelan people were filled with the spirit of standing shoulder to shoulder with you.

And a historic event took place. On October 9, 1964, urban guerrillas in Caracas belonging to Venezuela’s Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) captured U.S. military attaché Michael Smolen, demanding that the U.S. government cancel the death sentence against Nguyen Van Troi in Saigon. But the U.S. side broke its promise. They executed Troi shortly after Smolen was released. Carlos Argenis Martinez, known as Commander Ruiz, who took part in the operation, endured 12 harsh years in prison. Yet the action became an immortal symbol.

For Venezuelan guerrillas, the Vietnamese people’s resistance war for national salvation against the United States was an enormous source of inspiration and encouragement.

This bond did not arise by chance. It was built on the foundation laid by two great spirits: national liberator Simon Bolivar and President Ho Chi Minh.

Despite the geographical distance between them, both leaders shared the same ideal: fighting not to invade, but to liberate their nations and reclaim the right to self-determination for the poor and oppressed. That ideal and that sentiment have been the torch illuminating the relationship between our two countries over the past 25 years.

The resilience, compassion and solidarity I see in today’s rescue workers are qualities I personally witnessed during my two visits to Viet Nam, in 2019 and 2025.

Vladimir Castillo Soto (third from left) during a visit to Viet Nam in 2019. (Photo provided by the character)

I remember the night before Viet Nam’s National Day last year at Ba Dinh Square. Heavy rain poured down. Yet thousands of Vietnamese families continued to set up tents, patiently staying through the night and waiting along both sides of the roads for that momentous occasion.

That revolutionary perseverance and humility are part of the genetic code that helped Viet Nam defeat the greatest empires. Today, those qualities are being shared to help Venezuelan people facing disaster.

Vladimir Castillo Soto (far left) with delegates on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam’s National Day.

The modern world is experiencing too many upheavals in social values. But kindness remains a lasting source of happiness and value. For us, that value has been powerfully demonstrated through your actions.

The rescue delegation returned home on July 11. The sight of blue uniforms has disappeared from Caracas. But their warmth remains. I love the Red River and the Mekong River. I admire Ha Long Bay. But the warmth of the 124 Vietnamese heroes is the most beautiful thing of all.

Thank you, Viet Nam. We are brothers. We will always be brothers!

I believe Viet Nam has a bright future ahead. I wish the Vietnamese people every happiness and success. With your strength and perseverance, you will live in justice and happiness. That is what we have continuously fought to achieve.

Perseverance will bear sweet fruit.

Long live Viet Nam!

I send you a warm embrace from the people of Venezuela!

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