The Deputy Minister of External Action of the Government of the Canary Islands, José Luis Perestelo, is developing a work agenda in Venezuela until August 15 to assess the evolution of the response deployed by the regional Executive following the double earthquake registered on June 24.
The visit will allow for checking the evolution of the measures implemented since the beginning of the emergency, reinforcing coordination with Canary Islands entities and Spanish authorities present in the country, and assessing the new needs of Canary Islanders and their descendants residing in Venezuela, with the aim of continuing to adapt the response of the Government of the Canary Islands to the evolving situation.
This is the first institutional visit of the Government of the Canary Islands to Venezuela since the earthquakes and is part of the monitoring plan designed by the regional Executive to maintain a permanent response to the Canary Islands community, reinforce on-the-ground coordination, and adapt actions to the evolving emergency.
José Luis Perestelo has highlighted that "the response of the Government of the Canary Islands did not end with the initial aid. This follow-up allows us to check on the ground how the adopted measures are working, listen to Canary Islands entities, and continue adapting our response to the real needs of our people."
Dayana Morales, new delegate of the Government of the Canary Islands in Venezuela
The work agenda began with the swearing-in of the new delegate of the Government of the Canary Islands in Venezuela, Dayana Morales, who assumes the responsibility of leading the Delegation at a particularly relevant time for monitoring the actions deployed after the earthquakes of June 24.
Since November 2023, she held the position of Director's Secretary in the Vice-Ministry of External Action of the Government of the Canary Islands. Previously, she was an administrator for the Foundation of Canary Emigrants (FECAN), worked at the Canary Foundation for Health in Venezuela (FUCASAV), and served for eight years as an auditor in the Ministry of Popular Power for Land Transportation of Venezuela.
Licensed in Public Accounting, with a degree in Administration and Finance and specialized training in strategic management and auditing, she has extensive experience in the fields of administration and financial management. Her professional experience and knowledge of the reality of Canary emigration in Venezuela reinforce the work of the Government Delegation of the Canary Islands at a particularly relevant time for monitoring the actions taken after the earthquakes last June.
The new government delegate joined the institutional agenda of the Vice-Minister of Foreign Action on the first official visit to Venezuela after the earthquakes of last June 24. Perestelo and Morales have held working meetings with the Consul General of Spain in Caracas, Ramón Molina, and with the Counselor for Labor, Migration, and Social Security of the Spanish Embassy in Venezuela, Julio Cruz, to analyze the evolution of the situation after the earthquakes and reinforce coordination between both administrations.
Likewise, the vice-minister visited the logistics center from which part of the reception and distribution of humanitarian aid destined for the affected areas, especially the state of La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas, is coordinated.
Within the framework of this visit, Perestelo also traveled to the state of Aragua, where she visited the Hispanic Center of Maracay, held a meeting with the board of directors of the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and visited the Cagua nursing home to discuss with its managers the care received by older Canary Islanders. The agenda in this state was completed with meetings with representatives of Canary Islands entities to evaluate the evolution of the situation and the needs identified among the Canary Islands community and their descendants after the emergency.
Measures deployed after the emergency
Following the earthquakes of last June 24, the Government of the Canary Islands activated an extraordinary action plan to assist Canary Islanders and their descendants residing in Venezuela.
Since the beginning of the emergency, the regional executive has maintained permanent coordination with the 22 Canary Islands entities present in the country, the Government Delegation of the Canary Islands in Venezuela, and the Spanish authorities, which made it possible to identify the most urgent needs and channel the first emergency aid.
Thanks to the collaboration of individuals, companies, and collaborating entities, packages with essential food, water, and medicine were distributed among the affected people. In parallel, the Government of the Canary Islands launched an emergency medical consultation in La Guaira, managed through the Canary Union in Venezuela, which continues to provide healthcare assistance and information to the affected people.
As part of this response, the Executive approved a budgetary modification of 1.8 million euros to strengthen social and healthcare attention for the Canary community residing in Venezuela in the coming months, with a special focus on La Guaira and Caracas.
This reinforcement allowed for a 44.7% increase in the coverage of food, medicine, and healthcare assistance programs corresponding to the 2026 call, reaching 8,356 beneficiaries of food cards, 5,711 of medicines, and 1,126 people with healthcare coverage through the España Salud Foundation.
Perestelo has emphasized that "Canary entities have once again demonstrated that they are a fundamental pillar for reaching those who need it most. Our obligation is to continue by their side, listen to their needs, and work in a coordinated manner so that aid continues to reach the Canary community in Venezuela."
The follow-up that the deputy minister is carrying out these days will allow for the continued adaptation of the response of the Government of the Canary Islands to the evolving needs of the Canary community and their descendants in Venezuela, strengthening coordination with Canary entities and Spanish authorities present in the country.
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