Chancellor Pablo Quirno confirmed that Argentina is already in contact with Colombian authorities and has offered any necessary assistance to address the emergency
Rubio insisted that “The Trump Administration is closely monitoring the major earthquake that struck Colombia and is ready to support the people of Colombia and the administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella” and urged American citizens to use the STEP program.
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno highlighted: “Excellent leadership from President Abelardo de la Espriella. The United States is ready to help our great ally”.
This Monday at 7:34, a prolonged earthquake of magnitude 7.4 shook Colombia. With an epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó, and an initially recorded depth of 107 kilometers (recalculated by the Colombian Geological Service [SGC] to 96 kilometers), the event awakened the ghost of the historic earthquake of November 23, 1979 with a magnitude of 7.2.
In the face of the catastrophe, the brotherhood of the regional right was activated immediately. The libertarian government of President Javier Milei contacted the administration of Abelardo de la Espriella.
The Argentine chancellor Pablo Quirno expressed on X: “We express our solidarity with the people and government of Colombia in light of the earthquake that occurred today, and we extend our condolences to the families of the victims and our solidarity to all those affected. We are in contact with Colombian authorities, to whom we have conveyed Argentina's willingness to provide any necessary assistance.”
Furthermore, Quirno added that “so far, no Argentine citizens have been reported among the victims.”
“We are in contact with Colombian authorities to offer our support and assess sending assistance based on their needs”. This support materializes the alliance sealed days earlier in Cali, where Javier Milei made a quick visit to channel the diplomatic relationship after years of tension under the socialist Gustavo Petro.
President Milei himself defended the synergy, stating: “We have an excellent relationship and have managed to demonstrate that those leaders, when they are in very good sync, can deeply advance in making reforms that benefit both countries, and that is what we are working hard on”.
Senator Patricia Bullrich sent a strong message of support: “Mr. President, we stand with you and the people of Colombia in this difficult moment. My solidarity with those who suffered losses due to the strong earthquake that hit the country. With your new government, we will continue to strengthen the ties and assistance between our countries”.
It is being evaluated that Argentina replicate the assistance scheme from June 2026 applied in Venezuela, where it sent military aircraft and personnel, doctors, tents, mattresses, and cooking kits.
For its part, the United States showed total alignment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio communicated that the Donald Trump Administration is “closely monitoring the strong earthquake that shook Colombia and is ready to support the Colombian people and the administration of President Abelardo De la Espriella”.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy issued alerts stating: “The U.S. Embassy is monitoring the earthquake in Colombia. Monitor local news and inform your friends and family of your status. La Embajada de Estados Unidos está monitoreando el terremoto en Colombia. Esté atento a las noticias locales e informe a sus amigos y familiares sobre su situación.”
On the national level, President Abelardo de la Espriella coordinated the emergency by declaring a state of emergency for national disaster to expedite assistance funds. From the Crisis Room of the Ungrd, along with director Javier Pava and Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara, he assessed damages and planned aid.
This sharply contrasted with the meanness of leftist former president Gustavo Petro, who distanced himself from the tragedy by demanding on X: “That the officials of the Ungrd say what is happening in Hidroituango”.
The general director of the SGC, Julio Fierro Morales, stated: “the strongest quake felt in the last decade in the country”. In Pereira, the initial toll was 20 dead (of which 18 perished there), although the national total rose to more than 111 dead.
At the local level, the mayor of Pereira, Mauricio Salazar, immediately declared a curfew and suspended classes to ensure that “the objective of these measures is that emergency teams have no obstacles in reaching the affected areas”.
In Manizales, damage was reported in more than 100 buildings and classes were suspended, enabling shelters. Additionally, the Puracé Volcano emitted ash and gases up to 300 meters above the crater, forcing the suspension of the Popayán airport.
The SGC reported at least five aftershocks greater than 3.0 —including secondary quakes of magnitudes 2.8 and 4.8, and an aftershock of 3.8 at 10:01 a.m. at a depth of 88 kilometers. Reconstruction is progressing steadily under strong leadership and with the invaluable support of Presidents Javier Milei and Donald Trump.
