Jul 24
Here’s a glance at our first month serving the survivors of the catastrophic twin earthquakes in Venezuela. What you’re looking at is the largest private/public humanitarian response in Venezuela’s history.
GEM @globalempowermentmission in partnership with @welove_foundation and the U.S. @statedept has committed an initial $50 M in Phase 1 Emergency Support.
Stats and figures are only half the story. This is a story about the power of the Venezuelan diaspora and the resilience of the people of Venezuela.
Our First 30 Days of Impact:
* 20,000+ Dedicated Volunteers
* $12M+ in Critical Aid Delivered
* 3.1 Million Ibs of Life-Saving Supplies (~1,400 Metric Tonnes)
* 24 Cargo Planes
* 55 Shipping Containers & 5 US Navy Landing Crafts
* 228,273 people directly supported with food, hydration, and hygiene supplies.
* 131,360 people also supported with non-food items ranging from tents, tarps, generators, and more basic essentials.
Learn more about our programs through our bio-link Venezuela Earthquake Missions. In fall 2026, we will launch our rebuilding programs in the shelter sector. GEM has repaired over 7,000 structures across the globe since inception.
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Jul 21
GEM in partnership with I Love Venezuela Foundation, and the U.S. State Department - every day, across some of the hardest-hit communities in Venezuela, GEM LATAM and I Love Venezuela teams continue working tirelessly to deliver lifesaving aid to families devastated by the catastrophic earthquakes.
This video offers an inside look at our daily humanitarian operations and the extraordinary effort required to reach thousands of survivors each day. More importantly, it shares the deeply personal stories behind the crisis - families grieving loved ones, those who have lost everything, and resilient communities determined to still cling to hope, gratitude and a smile despite unimaginable loss.
While emergency relief remains critical, GEM is equally committed to standing alongside these communities throughout the long road to recovery.
Response to Date:
• 135,184 people served with GEM Family Necessity Kits
• 1,684 pallets of humanitarian aid delivered
• 20 cargo aircraft deployed
• 5 military landing craft missions completed
• 25 shipping containers currently in transit
• 2,068,171 lbs. (938.11 tons) of aid delivered
• $8,973,671.87 in humanitarian assistance distributed
This is far more than a relief operation, it is a promise that the people of Venezuela will not face this tragedy alone.
To learn more about this ongoing humanitarian mission, please visit the link in our bio. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, corporate partner, and supporter who has made this historic humanitarian response possible. @welove_foundation @statedept
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Jul 20
Dr. Luis Antonio Velásquez Quiroa | Executive Director | Global Empowerment Mission Latin America (GEM LATAM)
Academic & Professional Background:
Luis Antonio Velásquez Quiroa holds a Doctorate in Political and Social Sciences with a specialization in Economic Development.
Cabinet-Level Public Service:
For six years, Dr. Velásquez served at the highest levels of the Guatemalan government, holding several Cabinet-level positions, including:
* Minister of Economy
* President of Guatemala’s state-owned commercial bank, Banco CHN
* Secretary of Executive Coordination of the Presidency
* Secretary for Special Affairs of the Presidency
* Advisor to the President on Economic and Social Development, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution
In 2018, Dr. Velásquez was invited to join the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) Advisory board and later became the Executive Director of Global Empowerment Mission Latin America (GEM LATAM). This branch oversees humanitarian operations from Central to South to America. Under Dr. Velásquez’s leadership, the organization has successfully executed 25 humanitarian missions across more than 11 Latin American countries, delivering critical emergency assistance in response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Indigenous Advocacy: Dr. Velásquez is also the Co-Founder of the World Network of Indigenous Entrepreneurs, an international initiative dedicated to advancing Indigenous business leadership and economic opportunity.
International Speaking: As an internationally recognized speaker, he delivers lectures worldwide focusing on a vast array of topics, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), nearshoring, global competitiveness, disaster response, geopolitics, and sustainability.
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Jul 17
Texas Flood Response Update | Texas Hill Country
Conan Scott, Director of Operations for GEM USA Southwest, is reporting from the front lines of the ongoing flooding across the Texas Hill Country.
GEM responded immediately to last summer’s catastrophic flash floods that claimed more than 130 lives. Since then, our teams have remained on the ground, helping families, homeowners, and local businesses rebuild. Now, just 12 months later, many of those same communities are facing devastating losses once again.
Over the past 48 hours, GEM USA Southwest has:
• Distributed emergency beverages and hygiene kits to shelters.
• Conducted damage assessments for impacted businesses.
• Coordinated volunteers to begin muck-outs, debris removal, and heavy equipment operations.
• Prepared to launch emergency Cash Card distributions beginning tomorrow.
Our teams are actively assessing the hardest-hit communities to identify the most urgent needs and determine the next phase of our response.
Recovery is only beginning, and these communities need our support now more than ever.
To learn more about GEM’s Texas flood response or to support our mission, visit the link in our bio. #Texas #Floods #GEMUSASouthwest
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Jul 15
Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) was honored to receive the Community Game Changer Award from the @marlins and the @loandepotpark #Foundation. Our sincere gratitude to the entire Marlins organization for standing with #GEM and supporting our humanitarian response following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Your commitment demonstrates the powerful impact that can be achieved when the sports community, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers unite behind a common purpose. Together, we’re proving that compassion, collaboration, and community partnerships can truly change lives.
This recognition belongs to every volunteer, donor, corporate partner, and community organization that answered the call to help. Together, we’ve already delivered 15 cargo planes of life-saving humanitarian aid, and we remain fully committed to supporting the people of Venezuela throughout the long recovery ahead.
This mission will be a long one, and we’ll need continued support. Learn more and help by visiting the link in our bio.
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Jul 12
Yesterday marked a significant milestone, a joint civil-military effort in which @ussouthcom & @marines @24meu unloaded humanitarian supplies directly from a U.S. landing craft cushion vessel (LCAC) with GEM @globalempowermentmission leading the ground distribution to 2,112 individuals. Special thanks to the Venezuelan diaspora.
To date, GEM & @welove_foundation has served over 67,000 Venezuelans, brought in 12 cargo planes consisting of 699 pallets weighing a total of 389 Metric tons of aid.
@deptofwar @welove_foundation @usembassyve @statedept
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Jul 10
Historic Humanitarian Deployment in #Venezuela
On July 8, 2026, a senior United States diplomatic and agricultural delegation participated in a historic humanitarian operation in La Guaira, Venezuela, alongside GEM President, @michaelcapponi & the @globalempowermentmission @welove_foundation teams. This deployment marked the successful execution of GEM’s 11th consecutive large scale direct aid distribution in the country.
Key Dignitaries in Attendance:
John Barrett, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy Caracas @usembassyve.
Ryan Shrum, Senior Bureau Official, @statedept Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance
Luke Lindberg, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Brittany Kelm, @WhiteHouse Senior Policy Advisor, the National Energy Dominance Council
Operational Impact:
Scope: 27 pallets containing 1,755 specialized GEM humanitarian kits.
Reach: Direct assistance delivered to 4,387 families in Maiquetía. Over 55,000 Venezuelan earthquake survivors served to date with full kits. Special thanks to the incredible Venezuelan diaspora for all their support.
Significance: The presence of high-ranking U.S. officials on the ground reinforces the strategic importance of private-public synergy in executing transparent, high-impact humanitarian relief in critical regions.
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Jul 8
A bird’s-eye view of the humanitarian response unfolding across Venezuela.
Our GEM LATAM ground teams continue delivering life-saving aid to families affected by the devastating earthquakes while expanding daily relief operations across the hardest-hit communities. Thank you to everyone helping make this mission possible.
@bbcnews @globalempowermentmission @globalempowermentmissionlatam @welove_foundation @santichumaceiro @statedept @usembassyve
#Venezuela #EarthquakeRelief #HumanitarianAid #disasterrelief
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Una vista aérea de la respuesta humanitaria que se está desarrollando en toda Venezuela.
Nuestros equipos de GEM LATAM continúan entregando ayuda vital a las familias afectadas por los devastadores terremotos, mientras ampliamos diariamente las operaciones de asistencia en las comunidades más golpeadas.
Gracias a todas las personas que están haciendo posible esta misión.
@bbcnews @globalempowermentmission @globalempowermentmissionlatam @welove_foundation @santichumaceiro @statedept @usembassyve
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Jul 6
In the last 48 hours, @globalempowermentmission (GEM), in partnership with I Love Venezuela @welove_foundation supported another 10,000+ earthquake survivors in 2 major distributions: Iglesia Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Tanaguarenas & Catedral San Pedro Apóstol, La Guaira.
* We are fully committed to shipping and delivering over $50 million in aid over the next 6 months. To sustain this long-term commitment, GEM and I Love Venezuela already established a permanent branch in Venezuela, with our new @globalempowermentmissionlatam Headquarters in La Guaira.
* Distributions as these will occur daily throughout all affected areas for months to come.
* As of today, GEM has supported over 30,000 + earthquake survivors with vital essentials.
How You Can Help:
Please donate through the links in our bio. Cash donations are critical to help us mobilize and distribute these supplies efficiently.
@statedept @caritas.venezuela #venezuela
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Jul 4
Happy 250th Birthday, America. 🇺🇸
For 250 years, our nation has been defined not only by its strength, but by its willingness to stand beside those facing hardship around the world.
As we celebrate Independence Day with our families and friends, Global Empowerment Mission’s teams remain on the ground in #Venezuela delivering emergency food, clean water, hygiene supplies, shelter materials, and other life-saving aid to families devastated by the recent earthquakes.
Working in coordination with the U.S. @statedept #GEM has established one of the first large-scale humanitarian relief operations inside the country and is building a permanent logistics hub to sustain daily aid distributions.
Today, we celebrate the spirit of America by putting compassion into action. Together, we can continue delivering hope to families who need it most. If you’re able, please consider making an emergency donation through the link in our bio.
Happy Independence Day from the entire Global Empowerment Mission family. GEM.org
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Jul 4
Yesterday, @globalempowermentmission (GEM), in partnership with I Love Venezuela @welove_foundation supported over 12,000 earthquake survivors in 2 major distributions: Inmaculado Corazón de María & Capilla Estrella Del Mar.
* We are fully committed to shipping and delivering over $35 million in aid over the next 6 months. To sustain this long-term commitment, GEM and I Love Venezuela is establishing a permanent presence in Venezuela, with our new @globalempowermentmissionlatam Headquarters being set up right here in Caracas.
* Distributions as these will occur daily throughout all affected areas for months to come.
* As of today, GEM has delivered $2.5 M in supplies through 6 cargo planes consisting of 407 pallets weighing 203 Metric tons.
How You Can Help:
Please donate through the links in our bio. Cash donations are critical to help us mobilize and distribute these supplies efficiently.
@statedept @caritas.venezuela #venezuela @usembassyve
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Jul 2
Yesterday, @globalempowermentmission (GEM), in partnership with I Love Venezuela supported over 2500 Venezuelan earthquake survivors in Mare Abajo, La Guaira.
This critical distribution took place directly where survivors are camped out in tents on the side of the street.
How You Can Help:
Please donate through the links in our bio. Cash donations are critical to help us mobilize and distribute these supplies efficiently.
We are fully committed to shipping and delivering over $35 million in aid over the next 6 months. To sustain this long-term commitment, GEM and I Love Venezuela @welove_foundation is establishing a permanent presence in Venezuela, with our new @globalempowermentmissionlatam Headquarters being set up right here in Caracas. Distributions as this one will occur daily throughout all affected areas. @statedept @marcorubio
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Jul 1
Yesterday, @globalempowermentmission (GEM), in partnership with @welove_foundation supported over 6,000 Venezuelan #earthquake survivors in Catia La Mar, La Guaira.
This critical distribution took place at the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church of @caritasdevzla
Key Highlights of Our Operations:
Massive Scale: As an official @statedept partner, GEM manages aid from all 50 states across our 250,000+ square feet of @prologis warehouse spaces in south Florida.
Full Independence: The logistics and systems you see in this video represent how we operate. GEM functions independently of any previous political orders or government decrees.
Global Track Record: Having executed missions in 78 countries, GEM maintains a strict policy: no government takes or receives aid from us. We control the entire process from the initial intake to last-mile delivery.
How You Can Help:
Please donate through the links in our bio. Cash donations are critical to help us mobilize and distribute these supplies efficiently.
We are fully committed to shipping and delivering over $35 million in aid over the next 6 months. To sustain this long-term commitment, GEM and I Love #Venezuela is establishing a permanent presence in Venezuela, with our new @globalempowermentmissionlatam Headquarters being set up right here in #Caracas. Distributions as this one will occur daily throughout all affected areas.
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Ayer, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), junto a I Love Venezuela, brindó apoyo a más de 6.000 damnificados por el terremoto, en Catia La Mar, La Guaira. La distribución se realizó en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Cáritas.
Como socio oficial del Departamento de Estado de EE. UU., GEM coordina ayuda humanitaria desde un almacén de más de 250.000 pies² en el sur de Florida. Con operaciones en 78 países, gestionamos todo el proceso de forma independiente, desde la recepción hasta la entrega final.
Puedes apoyar esta misión donando a través del enlace en nuestra biografía. En los próximos 6 meses enviaremos más de USD 35 millones en ayuda y estableceremos la nueva sede de GEM LATAM en Caracas para fortalece @statedept
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Jul 1
La ayuda sigue llegando. 🙏🇻🇪🇺🇸
En una entrevista para @noticierovenevision transmitida en vivo desde La Guaira @luisvelasquezq01 director para Latinoamérica de @globalempowermentmissionlatam, confirmó que la ayuda humanitaria continúa siendo distribuida entre las familias y comunidades más afectadas por los terremotos en Venezuela.
Este esfuerzo conjunto entre @globalempowermentmission y @welove_foundation mantiene un compromiso de asistencia sostenida durante los próximos meses, trabajando de manera independiente y en coordinación con organizaciones locales para garantizar que la ayuda llegue a quienes más la necesitan. Esta labor cuenta con el respaldo y la facilitación del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos.
Gracias de corazón a todos los que han donado. Su solidaridad está haciendo posible que la ayuda continúe llegando de forma constante a las víctimas de esta tragedia.
Si aún deseas colaborar, tu apoyo sigue siendo fundamental. Cada donación, sin importar su monto, hace la diferencia. #globalempowermentmission #welovefoundation #ayudahumanitariaparavenezuela #ayudahumanitariavenezuela #venezuela
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Jun 30
Today marked our first major distribution in #Macuto. These initial critical loads were flown into #Venezuela via cargo flights from our @globalempowermentmission headquarters in Doral, Fl. This commences a daily schedule of 1–2 incoming flights along with high-capacity maritime sea containers. Due to the immense support of the Venezuelan diaspora in the US along with hundreds of US companies, we anticipate transporting over 15,000 pallets of aid. (Approx 4 football fields of aid).
In today’s deployment, we distributed our specialized family necessity kits to thousands of survivors. Additionally, vital pallets of generators and tents were successfully delivered directly to the camps.
This is just the beginning of our $35 million commitment of aid to Venezuela for 2026 alone. This effort is a private/public partnership with GEM & @statedept along with @welove_foundation.
Special thanks to @oceanbankus and @manacommon. Thank you @caritasdevzla for your local support.
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Jun 28
Our first humanitarian cargo plane arrived in Caracas, Venezuela today.
This marks a major milestone in GEM’s earthquake response as critical relief supplies begin reaching families affected by this devastating disaster.
Moving forward, one to two humanitarian cargo planes carrying emergency aid will arrive daily on behalf of GEM, ensuring a continuous flow of life-saving supplies to those who need them most.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, and made this mission possible. Together, we are delivering hope to Venezuela. #GEM @statedept @welove_foundation #humanitarian #relief
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Jun 28
GEM Founder & President @michaelcapponi in #Caracas, #Venezuela speaking to @cnn about the necessary systems and methods implemented to properly respond to a disaster of this magnitude.
GEM is committed to delivering 20 M in supplies and support for the Venezuelan people from the United States. Thanks to our smart partnership with @prologis, we’ve expanded our warehousing space from 56,000 to now 200,000 sq ft.
We are amassing aid from every major US company and drives around America. This aid will be transported and shipped to our Venezuelan branches and then to hundreds of various localized distribution points throughout the region.
We are officially committing to shipping over 10,000 pallets of aid in the first 60-90 days.
@globalempowermentmission @welove_foundation @lelepons @manacommon @good360usa @oceanbankus
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Jun 27
We have now secured our first warehouse in #Venezuela with GEM staff managing all logistics. Aid is received directly from cargo planes and transported by local trucks to the GEM warehouse.
Each day, our GEM teams, U.S., Europe, Latin America, along with local partners, determine distribution sites (typically three per day first week) These are often in small, trusted community locations and churches.
A natural disaster of this magnitude hasn’t happened in Venezuela since 1999, we have again partnered up with I Love Venezuela Foundation, who’s been on the ground here for almost 13 years with local experience. Our initial commitment is to deliver and personally distribute 10 M in aid in the next 60 days. We can’t do this without you. Please support through our bio-link tree. Special thanks to @mueblesbima furniture.
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Jun 26
The devastating double earthquakes that struck Venezuela have pushed an already fragile nation deeper into crisis.
For a country that has already endured the largest displacement crisis in the Western Hemisphere, this disaster is nothing short of catastrophic. Entire communities are now facing unimaginable loss, uncertainty, and urgent humanitarian needs.
Buildings have collapsed across Caracas as rescue crews race against time to search for survivors. Among the strongest earthquakes to strike Venezuela in more than a century, these powerful quakes have left thousands of families displaced, injured, and in desperate need of assistance.
Within hours of the disaster, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) activated its emergency response. In less than 24 hours, our team began establishing a distribution center in Caracas while mobilizing donors, volunteers, and emergency response personnel from South Florida and around the world. Together with our longtime Venezuelan partner, I Love Venezuela, our recon and emergency response teams are deploying immediately to assess the greatest needs and begin delivering life-saving aid.
Time is critical. Every hour matters for families who have lost everything and are waiting for food, clean water, emergency supplies, and hope.
GEM previously responded to Venezuela’s refugee crisis in 2019, building trusted partnerships and logistical networks that now allow us to move quickly and reach vulnerable communities when they need help most.
A special thank you to @moishemana and @manatechmiami for your continued partnership and unwavering support of the Venezuelan people.
Please stand with Venezuela today. Your donation will help us deliver emergency relief to families whose lives have been turned upside down. Every gift - no matter the size, helps us reach more people, faster.
Visit the link in our bio or go to GEM.org to support this urgent mission. @welove_foundation
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