U.S. Southern Command said it is "surging" military forces in the region to assist in earthquake relief efforts.

Two U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the Caribbean have been assigned to support the U.S. quake relief operations in Venezuela that are being led by the State Department, the command said.

The amphibious ships USS Fort Lauderdale and the littoral combat ships USS Billings are being moved closer to Venezuela to provide assistance.

In addition, transport aircraft and helicopters are being sent.

"These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance," SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

U.S. Southern Command is sending U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard to Venezuela to oversee the Pentagon's earthquake relief efforts.

The Pentagon is supporting efforts by the State Department, which is responsible for U.S. government relief efforts.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

The Urban Search and Rescue teams based out of Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, have both confirmed they are mobilizing units as part of the State Department's response to the earthquakes.

The Fairfax team said it is sending 80 people and six dogs to Venezuela, while the County of Los Angeles Fire Department said its team will consist of 71 people and six canines.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

The State Department says it will mobilize $150 million in assistance for Venezuela and stand up a task force to coordinate the distribution of that assistance.

The Department of Defense is expected to assist in the response by leveraging military assets already in the region and deploying personnel to “accelerate the delivery of life-saving assistance,” the State Department said, adding that it will also leverage aircraft to help U.S. government personnel, the search and rescue teams, and partners get into place so they can "assess damage, find the injured, and deliver critical life-saving assistance."

-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston