Central American governments offer support to Colombia after the earthquake

Rescue workers and residents stand atop a collapsed building in the aftermath of an earthquake in Cali, Colombia, August 10, 2026, in this screengrab taken from a video. REUTERS/Reuters TV Central American and Caribbean governments expressed their support for Colombia this Monday after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that left at least 111 dead. The government declared a national disaster, while damages were reported to homes, buildings, roads, airports, health centers, and schools. The official toll released by Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella included 87 injured, 1,575 damaged homes, 37 completely destroyed, 61 collapsed buildings, 18 affected health centers, and 52 damaged educational centers. The president said in Bogotá that this was a preliminary figure and that an increase was expected in the coming hours. De la Espriella stated that at least 5 departments suffered significant destruction. He added that 18 roads were affected and that 7 airports—Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, Cali, and Buenaventura—were closed and not operational for commercial flights due to infrastructure damage. According to the Colombian Geological Service, the epicenter was in San José del Palmar, in the Chocó department, on the Pacific coast, at a depth of 82 kilometers (51 miles). In Quibdó, the departmental capital and the closest city to the epicenter, authorities reported injuries and severe damage to buildings. In Cali, 20 buildings collapsed, according to reports from the Cali Mayor's Office and Civil Aeronautics cited by the agency. The coffee-growing region of central Colombia was one of the most affected by the seismic movement. Colombia experienced a strong earthquake during the morning of this Monday, August 10, 2026 - credit AFPCosta Rica expressed its solidarity through a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Government and the people of the Republic of Costa Rica express their deepest feelings of solidarity to the Government and people of Colombia in the face of the emergency caused by the earthquake,” the Foreign Ministry said. The department also indicated that no Costa Ricans are among the affected. It explained that its Consulate General in Colombia maintains ongoing monitoring of the situation and has its phone lines and email available to assist with consular requests. According to consular records, about 2,000 Costa Ricans reside in Colombia. The Costa Rican government also conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims and wished for the country's quick recovery. Residents and emergency personnel dig through the debris of a collapsed building after an earthquake, in Cali (Colombia), August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Camilo Rodríguez El Salvador President Nayib Bukele offered this Monday the immediate dispatch of rescue teams, medical personnel, paramedics, and supplies to Colombia after the earthquake. Bukele reported in a statement shared via his X account that his government was closely monitoring the earthquake's aftermath. The president stated: “We are closely following the consequences of the strong earthquake that struck Colombia this morning.” He added that his country is “in communication and ready to support immediately” with the resources that Colombian authorities consider necessary. He also acknowledged the response capacity of Colombian emergency teams and noted that El Salvador remains on alert to act without delay if a formal request is received. The Nicaraguan regime also sent a message signed by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. “In these tragic moments, we send you, on behalf of the Nicaraguan people and in our own name, our solidarity and prayers, trusting in God that normalcy will be restored very soon,” they wrote in a letter. They also addressed those who lost family members and communities affected by the destruction of their livelihoods. In that communication, they sent a “fraternal hug” and prayers for comfort. Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo de León said in his usual press conference at the National Palace of Culture that he was following “with great concern and sorrow” what happened in Colombia. He noted that he had already conveyed his country's solidarity to the Colombian president and offered support as needed. Arévalo added that the executive secretary of the National Disaster Reduction Coordinator, Claudinne Ogaldes, is in contact with her Colombian counterpart to determine when an international aid request could be activated. The Guatemalan Foreign Ministry, according to the publication, also reported that it maintains contact with some Guatemalans residing in Colombian territory, although without complete data on the status of most. From Honduras, President Nasry “Tito” Asfura expressed his “solidarity” and “fraternity” with Colombia on X. The Honduran Parliament President, Tomás Zambrano, expressed to De la Espriella and the affected families his “closeness and empathy” and stated that the historic ties between both countries “are now made stronger through this brotherhood.” Residents and emergency personnel dig through the debris of a partially collapsed building after an earthquake, in Pereira, Colombia, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Panama President José Raúl Mulino offered assistance “within our capacity.” In Panamanian territory, the earthquake shook the eastern part of the country and prompted the preventive evacuation of dozens of office and apartment buildings in the capital, as well as hospitals in Darién province, bordering Colombia. According to the Geosciences Institute of the University of Panama, the vibrations lasted between 40 seconds and 1 minute and were felt in Darién, the Guna Yala comarca, and other areas of eastern Panama. The institute's director, Néstor Luque, explained, cited by EFE Agency, that the earthquake originated “in a tectonic contact zone between the El Garrapata fault and the Deformed Belt Fault of eastern Panama.” The Dominican Republic also expressed its support. The Dominican Foreign Ministry deeply regretted “the victims and damages caused” and stated that it is closely monitoring the situation, while President Luis Abinader assured that his country “remains” willing to provide support and assistance as needed.