A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday at 7:34 a.m. local time, killing at least 132 people and injuring more than 480 others. The seismic event, centered near San José del Palmar in Chocó province at a depth of about 103 kilometers, triggered widespread building collapses and left hundreds trapped in rubble. The shaking was felt across western Colombia and extended into neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, disrupting daily life and infrastructure in multiple regions.

Extensive Structural Damage

The metropolitan area of Pereira suffered some of the most severe impacts, with at least 40 deaths reported and 65 buildings collapsed. Rescue teams are actively searching for survivors believed to be trapped inside 15 of these structures. In Cali, 32 buildings collapsed, contributing to the rising death toll. More than 1,500 homes were damaged across the affected areas, displacing numerous families and straining local emergency services.

Government Response and Aid

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced he is personally overseeing the emergency response, establishing a Unified Command Post in San José del Palmar to coordinate relief efforts. The government has allocated emergency funds and humanitarian aid for more than 1,400 affected people in Chocó. Injured patients are being transferred to Medellín for medical care, and rental subsidies are planned for displaced families.

Espriella stated that authorities are prioritizing the search for missing persons and strengthening security in Cali. Colombia’s aviation authority reported damage at several regional airports, including those in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura, complicating logistics for rescue operations.

Eyewitness Accounts

Residents described chaotic scenes as buildings crumbled. Angélica Ávila, a resident of Manizales, reported that "everyone was screaming" as bricks fell from structures. London tourist Dan Cutler, who was staying in a hotel in Cali, said he had never experienced anything similar, noting that guests sprinted outside in their pyjamas as the quake struck.

Donald Trump congratulated Abelardo de la Espriella on his election as the new President of Colombia through a post on Truth Social. The former US President referred to de la Espriella as "El Tigre" and expressed that it was a great honor to endorse him. Trump stated that he looks forward to working together to build a powerful relationship between Colombia and the United States of America, aiming to bring new levels of greatness to both nations.

The communication was made publicly on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social. The post highlighted the endorsement provided by Trump during the electoral process and emphasized the prospective collaboration between the two countries. No specific policy details or timelines for this cooperation were disclosed in the message.