On July 13, 2026, a ceremony took place in Hanoi to recognize the contributions of the Vietnamese Border Guard's canine unit in assisting with earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela. The event was presided over by Lieutenant General Vu Trung Kien, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Commander of the Border Guard.

Following the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24, interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a national emergency and requested international assistance for recovery efforts. In response, the Border Guard Command promptly directed the 24th Border Guard Training School to deploy personnel to join the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security's rescue mission.

Upon their arrival in La Guaira, Venezuela, on June 29, the canine unit conducted thorough surveys and reconnaissance to devise effective rescue strategies. Over the course of 11 days, from June 29 to July 9, the unit successfully identified and marked 89 locations, assisted in excavating debris, and recovered 42 out of 57 bodies, which were then handed over to local authorities and families of the victims. Additionally, they provided $1,200 in support to help Venezuelans move their belongings to safety.

The commendable achievements of the canine unit were acknowledged with awards from the Venezuelan government. President Delcy Rodriguez presented them with the "Service Merit Medal," while the commander of the Venezuelan presidential guard awarded them the "Hero of Venezuela" medal for their outstanding contributions to victim recovery and disaster relief.

In his remarks, Lieutenant General Vu Trung Kien emphasized the unit's role as true "warriors" in international rescue operations, highlighting their bravery and commitment to aiding those affected by disasters. He called on all personnel to continue enhancing their skills and readiness for future missions.

On July 11, during a separate ceremony, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung awarded the Third-Class Medal of National Defense to the 24th Border Guard Training School and three individuals for their contributions to the earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela.