First flight carrying 7,000 pounds of aid departs for Venezuela

Public Safety Secretary Arthur Garffer, flanked by other island government officials, speaks on Wednesday at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, where an alliance of businesses, artists and organizations sent the first of several flights from Puerto Rico to Venezuela carrying nearly 7,000 pounds of earthquake relief supplies. (Facebook via Departmento de Seguridad Pública)

By THE STAR STAFF

An alliance of businesses, artists and organizations sent the first of several flights from Puerto Rico to Venezuela on Wednesday, carrying nearly 7,000 pounds of medicine, food, generators, equipment and infant supplies.

Jorge Hernández, president of Aerostar Puerto Rico, the private operator of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (LMM) in Carolina, said in a written statement that the company “provided the necessary resources and our team’s expertise to ensure these first planes could take off and land at their destination.”

The cargo departed from LMM bound for Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela.

Aerostar, Grupo VRDG, Droguería Betances, retired MLB standout catcher Yadier Molina, rapper Héctor Delgado (known as El Father) and singer-songwriter Tito El Bambino are part of the coordinating team.

According to the organizers, the initiative has received support from both the federal and commonwealth governments for flight authorization and logistics.

The plan includes three phases: collection of essential supplies, federally authorized air transport, and direct distribution in the affected areas.

Organizers said they would make two flights on Wednesday and additional flights as the emergency evolves and new supplies accumulate.

“We saw the need for air transport so that this aid from Puerto Rico could finally reach Venezuela, and we all rolled up our sleeves as a team to make it happen,” said Julio Cabral, CEO of Grupo VRDG.

Cabral added that the effort included supply coordination, ground transportation, air transport and direct delivery in Venezuela.

Distribution in Venezuela will be handled by non-profit organizations. Cáritas Venezuela and Molina will receive and distribute the supplies, according to the group.

Aerostar and Grupo VRDG covered the costs of the aircraft that transported the cargo, so no public funds will be used, according to the organizers.

Droguería Betances donated medicines and essential products. Other supplies came from donations by citizens who responded to the call from the Azriel Foundation, led by Delgado, and from figures like Jowell Muñoz of the duo Jowell y Randy.

The mission departed at noon on a flight operated by Air Cargo Carriers, an airline specializing in air cargo.

The Federal Aviation Administration, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana and Ports Authority Executive Director Norberto Negrón Díaz also participated in the coordination.

The organizers urged the public to donate at collection centers to complete the upcoming flights.

Donation collection centers are located at Mario Quijote Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo, the Manatí Sports Acropolis, Francisco “Paquito” Montaner Stadium in Ponce, Isidoro García Stadium in Mayagüez, the Patillas Multipurpose Center and Maestro Tomás Dones Hernández Municipal Coliseum in Fajardo.

La Fortaleza Secretary of Public Affairs Jean Peña Payano said earlier this week that the most recent priority requests focus on medications, first aid supplies and tents for sleeping.