01/07/2026 21:48 - Actualidad
Sergeant Gonzalo Ordóñez, a dedicated member of the Volunteer Firefighters of Villa La Florida in Quilmes (a city located just 20 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital), embarked on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 on a humanitarian mission to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The Argentine firefighter is part of the USAR ARG-12 Brigade of the Argentine Federal Police, an elite team specializing in search and rescue operations in collapsed structures.
The brigade belongs to the Special Federal Rescue Brigade (BEFER), an elite unit of Argentina's federal security force trained to respond to large-scale catastrophes. Ordóñez will carry out operational activities for ten days in the areas most affected by the earthquakes of June 24, 2026, working in coordination with local emergency teams and international rescuers.
The directors of the Villa La Florida Volunteer Fire Station expressed their deep pride at Ordóñez's selection for this complex international mission. Institution spokespeople highlighted the rescuer's great commitment, professionalism, and dedication to service.
His colleagues publicly stated: "Your commitment, professionalism, and vocation of service represent the noblest values of those who dedicate their lives to helping others. We are proud of you and we know you will uphold the name of our country and all Argentine rescuers."
The earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026 left a devastating toll: more than 1,719 confirmed deaths, over 5,000 injured, and between 50,000 and 70,000 missing. The most affected area is La Guaira, a coastal state near Caracas, Venezuela's capital.
In response to this catastrophe, 27 countries have sent aid with more than 3,300 rescuers on the ground. Argentina had already sent a first contingent of 26 military personnel and is now reinforcing its presence with specialized brigades like the one Ordóñez belongs to.
USAR stands for Urban Search and Rescue, a specialized discipline that involves locating, extricating, and providing initial medical treatment to victims trapped in collapsed structures. The USAR ARG-12 team is one of Argentina's certified international rescue teams, capable of deploying rapidly to disaster zones worldwide.
Volunteer firefighters in Argentina are citizens who dedicate their time free of charge to serve their communities. Their work includes not only firefighting but also rescues, medical emergencies, and disaster relief. Training for international brigades requires years of specialized instruction in:
Argentine solidarity is present once again in times of international crisis. Sergeant Ordóñez will carry the representation of Quilmes firefighters and all Argentine rescuers to Venezuelan territory, contributing his experience and commitment in one of the greatest tragedies the Caribbean nation has suffered in recent decades.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
