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About 2,000 U.S. troops supporting relief efforts after Venezuela earthquakes

By Eleanor Watson CBS News Reporter Eleanor Watson is a CBS News multi-platform reporter and producer covering the Pentagon. Read Full Bio Eleanor Watson

Updated on: July 1, 2026 / 5:54 PM EDT / CBS News

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About 2,000 U.S. service members are supporting relief efforts in Venezuela after last week's devastating earthquakes, according to the head of the U.S. military's Southern Command.

"The U.S. military, the Department of War, has roughly 2,000 teammates in the area on land, air and sea around Venezuela," Gen. Francis Donovan said in a briefing Wednesday. "They are working hard daily to help in the search and rescue efforts, to help in the recovery efforts to deliver needed supplies."

Donovan told reporters that the focus right now is looking for survivors — Wednesday marked the seventh day since the two earthquakes.

"In these situations, you have anywhere from 3 to 7 days that you have to respond to hopefully recover people that are still living and maybe injured in the rubble," Donovan said.

Venezuela's government on Wednesday said over 2,000 people have died as a result of the earthquakes, and over 10,000 were injured.

Shortly after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes, the U.S. military helped fly in about 310 specialists from urban search and rescue teams who are now on the ground, according to John Barrett, the chargé d'affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. He said they have rescued five survivors, including a mother and her toddler.

After the U.S. military conducted an overnight raid in January to capture Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration outlined a three-phase plan for Venezuela that consisted of stabilization, economic recovery and transition with free and fair elections.

"That reconstruction looks a little bit different, of course, since the devastating earthquake, but the economic recovery had already begun," Barrett said. "I'm focused right now on saving lives, but we will get back to Phase 2 and Venezuela's economic recovery."

Barrett said the U.S. has provided over $300 million in humanitarian assistance since the disaster.

U.S. Southern Command in a statement listed support from the military, including a coordination cell to transport humanitarian aid. Some of the teams on the ground include a specialized Army medical unit to provide surgical support and a U.S. Marine Combat Logistics Company that has a water purification system, a mobile potable water container, and a military-grade tow truck.

Barrett told reporters that removing the debris from collapsed buildings would be a "huge task."

"We will continue to work with the Venezuelan people to adjust these needs, including sanitation, water, energy generation, and we will continue along that path as long as it takes," Barrett said.

When asked about the scale of the U.S. military support, Gen. Donovan said each crisis is different but the current support is probably larger than what was provided after Hurricane Melissa last year in Jamaica but smaller than after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

"We are focused on saving lives right now, finding folks still in the rubble and setting conditions for logistics, you know, delivery of relief supplies, so right now it's what we call 'full speed ahead,'" Donovan said.

Austin Reaves breaks silence on LeBron James’ Lakers departure

Austin Reaves breaks silence on LeBron James' Lakers departure

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Austin Reaves breaks silence on LeBron James’ Lakers departure

By Edward Lewis Published July 1, 2026, 7:11 p.m. ET

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Better late than never?

Austin Reaves is finally reacting to the news that he and LeBron James will no longer be teammates in Los Angeles.

More than a day after James revealed he was moving on from the Lakers, Reaves took to his Instagram Stories to wish his pal well.

LeBron James and Austin Reaves smiling on the sidelines. — LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images

“Thank you for everything,” Reaves said in a caption on three images of he and James sharing the court together.

“See you on the golf course soon brother!”

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Austin Reaves wished LeBron James well on his Instagram page on Wednesday. austinreaves12

Reaves’ delay in acknowledging James’ departure caught the attention of many, considering the headlines Rich Paul made in January when he suggested on his podcast that the Lakers trade Reaves.

Rich Paul says if he ran the Lakers, he would call Memphis Grizzlies to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr for a package with Austin Reaves 😳

“If I was the Lakers I would be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson… If you’re building around Luka you need… pic.twitter.com/vEj647cWfT
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) January 12, 2026

James’ agent said on “Game Over” that he believed the Lakers sending Reaves to Memphis in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. would make them a better team.

The clip made so many waves, Reaves’ agent, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, reportedly approached Paul at a game and spoke with him about the remarks for several minutes.

James later distanced himself from Paul’s comments during an interview with ESPN.

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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looking on during a game. — LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NBAE via Getty Images

“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel,” James said. “And I hope people know that. I hope people know that and if they’re not sensible to know that, then I don’t know what to tell them.”

With his post on Wednesday, Reaves — who’s been teammates with James the past five seasons — joined several other Lakers who penned heartfelt goodbyes to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Luka Doncic wrote on Instagram that it was “an honor to play with and learn from” James. Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes all also sent out social media tributes to the future Hall of Famer.

It’s not yet known where James will play next — though the Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers and Timberwolves have been considered the favorites in the early goings of free agency.

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LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images

Austin Reaves wished LeBron James well on his Instagram page on Wednesday. austinreaves12

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NBAE via Getty Images

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Spurs not expected to pursue LeBron James despite free agency buzz

Spurs not expected to pursue LeBron James after Tobias Harris deal

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Spurs not expected to pursue LeBron James despite free agency buzz

By Ryan Anderson Published July 1, 2026, 7:06 p.m. ET

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The San Antonio Spurs were one of the most fascinating theoretical LeBron James destinations on the board.

Now, they appear to be out of the sweepstakes.

After agreeing to a two-year, $31 million deal with Tobias Harris, San Antonio is not expected to pursue James in free agency, according to Marc Stein.

Los Angeles Lakers&#039; LeBron James (23) drives against San Antonio Spurs&#039; — Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ AP

On paper, the Spurs made plenty of sense.

Victor Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the league and has quickly turned San Antonio into a legitimate contender.

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Pairing him with James would have created one of the NBA’s most fascinating cross-generational duos: the defining superstar of the last 20 years alongside the player many expect to define the next 10.

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

James could have given the Spurs another playmaker, a veteran postseason organizer and a mentor for Wembanyama as San Antonio tries to move from exciting young contender to championship team.

But free agency is not about storybook fits.

Rich Paul recently said James’ decision is being guided by “complete happiness,” which means his final choice will include a wide range of basketball and non-basketball factors.

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Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on NBAE via Getty Images

Paul also said he has spoken to “about 12-14 teams,” meaning almost half the league has at least been part of the conversation. He described James’ ideal landing spot as one where he can compete for a championship with players who understand high-level basketball.

With the Spurs seemingly stepping aside, the remaining rumors narrow. Golden State, Cleveland, Miami, Minnesota and Denver have all been connected to James in some form.

United States forward LeBron James and guard Stephen Curry celebrate USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Golden State offers the dream pairing with Stephen Curry, turning one of the league’s great rivalries into a must-watch partnership built on shooting, passing and championship experience.

Cleveland offers the emotional full-circle ending, with James returning home for one final run around an already strong Cavaliers core.

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Miami offers history and star power, especially if a trio of James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo is somehow in play.

Minnesota offers a version of the Spurs’ appeal, with Anthony Edwards giving James a young superstar partner on a team already built to contend.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hug USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Denver may be the most entertaining basketball fit of all, with James alongside Nikola Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets’ core conjuring video-game-level possibilities.

And, apparently, year-round golf access matters too.

San Antonio would have been fun.

But if this report holds water, LeBron’s free agency list has been narrowed all the way down to… almost every other team in the league

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