Residents and emergency personnel dig through the debris in Cali, August 10, 2026.
Residents and emergency personnel dig through the debris in Cali, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Camilo Rodriguez
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Colombia earthquake: Death toll 111 after powerful tremor

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Survivors go through the rubble in the aftermath of the quake.
Survivors go through the rubble in the aftermath of the quake. Reuters

The quake struck just days after Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in as president, thrusting the new administration into its first major crisis.

De La Espriella, a right-wing politician who has never before held elected office, said in a video filmed while flying to Bogotá that he was suspending his planned activities to lead emergency coordination efforts out of the capital.

"To the Colombians who are going through difficult times today, I want to say: you are not alone," he wrote in a post on X.

The collapsed facade of a building in the aftermath of the quake.
The collapsed facade of a building in the aftermath of the quake.Reuters

Reuters witnesses in the Venezuelan border state of Táchira and the central-western city of Barquisimeto reported the quake had been felt there.

Venezuela was hit by devastating twin earthquakes in June, which killed more than 6,000 people, mostly on the coast near the capital, Caracas.

Colombia Earthquake