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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 10, 2026Miami-Dade

President of Colombia declares national emergency following 7.4 magnitude earthquake

President Abelardo de la Espriella is declaring a national emergency to expedite resources to regions affected by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed at least 111 people. The government is deploying military and police forces for rescue operations while providing rental subsidies for those whose homes were destroyed.

earthquakedisaster reliefemergency managementinfrastructurehumanitarian aid
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Why It Matters

The declaration of a national emergency allows the government to bypass standard bureaucratic hurdles to move funding and rescue personnel to the hardest-hit areas in Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca.

Key Facts

  • A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Colombia at 7:34 local time.
  • At least 111 people are confirmed dead and 87 injured.
  • 1,575 homes are damaged, 61 buildings have collapsed, and 18 health centers are damaged.
  • The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, Chocó.
  • The earthquake is the highest magnitude seismic event recorded in Colombia in the 21st century.
  • Operations at airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura are suspended.
  • The US Department of State pledged 15.5 million dollars in humanitarian aid.
  • Over 1,400 people are currently reported as missing by family members.
  • Five patients are trapped under rubble at the University Hospital of Cali.
  • The government is providing rental subsidies for residents with damaged homes.

Who's Mentioned

personAbelardo de la Espriella“President of Colombia”organizationUSGS“United States Geological Survey”personDilian Francisca Toro“Governor of Valle del Cauca”locationSan José del Palmar“Epicenter of the earthquake”personDonald Trump“US President, ally of De la Espriella”