The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, referred to the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that affected the country during this day and committed to being "at the forefront of this national emergency," in addition to prioritizing the rescue of victims who may be under the rubble. It should be noted that this Monday, during the morning in the coffee-growing country, the strong seismic activity affected the western zone of Colombia, with its epicenter in the municipality of San José de Palmar, Chocó, where the most severe damages are concentrated. The most recent count provided by the head of state himself - who committed to periodic reports - estimated 111 people dead and 87 injured. He also reported 37 homes completely destroyed, 1,575 homes damaged, and 61 buildings collapsed, as well as 18 health centers with problems, along with 52 educational establishments, 17 community centers, and 18 roads affected. It was also reported that six airports have infrastructure damage and are not operational for commercial flights, in addition to another terminal with structural and runway damages. In this context, President de la Espriella committed the government’s aid to rebuild the municipalities and departments most affected by the earthquake. "This is a government that responds immediately, a government committed to the people, that will never leave citizens alone, because we will honor the popular will of the majority who chose a responsible government that will always be there whenever the Colombian people need it," de la Espriella said after a disaster analysis meeting held at the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), in Bogotá. In this regard, the head of state stated that he ordered the installation of Unified Command Posts (PMU) to gather information about the damages in the affected areas. The main one will be installed in Bogotá and will receive information from other PMUs in the cities of Armenia, Quibdó, and Cali. "(...) It was agreed to declare the corresponding emergency situation, which will be signed during the day, and will serve us to respond appropriately to this natural disaster," added the head of state. Emergency response During his speech, President de la Espriella also noted that the government will deploy teams to the affected territories, led by cabinet ministers, as well as Colombia’s Vice President, José Manuel Restrepo. "Under that direction, all work will be carried out with various public agencies. The Public Force and the National Police are included," he affirmed. Likewise, de la Espriella committed that "I will be at the forefront of the national response and will be present in all territories." "All ministers, the vice president, and the Unified Command Post report directly to me, and I will lead the emergency as appropriate," added the Colombian president. In that vein, he also announced that he ordered priority to be given to rescuing people trapped under the rubble. "I have given a peremptory order as head of state and government: the first is the rescue of people under the rubble. That is the priority. Rescue the people who are under the rubble," he said. He also noted that the Colombian Foreign Ministry and the Vice Presidency are working on managing aid from abroad pledged to Colombia. Additionally, First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda and the Vice President’s wife, Tatiana Céspedes, will work on coordinating citizen and corporate donations for those affected. "We will not leave them alone, they are in our hearts, and we will extend a helping hand with full determination," the leader promised. "The national government maintains all its capacities deployed to protect life and assist the affected communities," he stated.