From rescuing bodies at the Vanessa building to surviving four gunshots in Palmira: the miraculous story of an Army corporal in Valle

Local NewsSecond Corporal Álvaro José Gómez Molina was in charge of responding to the emergency in Cali for eight days. Photo: PersonalJOURNALIST30.09.2026 19:05 Updated: 30.09.2026 19:05 Wearing a loose hoodie, a long-sleeve sweatshirt, a sling on his right arm, and seated in a wheelchair, Second Corporal Álvaro José Gómez Molina, a non-commissioned officer of the Agustín Codazzi Battalion in Palmira, takes a deep breath and gives thanks for being alive. Despite his convalescence, he does not lose the firmness in his commanding voice. Fed by his marked Cúcuta accent, the voice pauses momentarily to greet his team of ten men, who have accompanied him in crucial moments when he has come face to face with death: first as part of the rescue group after the earthquake in Cali and, a few days later, in a military operation in which he was shot four times. Without specialized equipment, the uniformed men attended to the Vanessa building in southern Cali. Photo: Personal"First, thanks to God because we are alive, and I thank you for that work in Cali, because our priority is to serve the community; that is what we are here for," said the non-commissioned officer during a brief and improvised speech for his men. READ ALSO Bare-handed and with a willingness to helpIn that first emergency, it was not a combat operation, nor dismantling criminal gangs or seizing weapons: the mission was to save lives among the rubble of the Vanessa building, infrastructure that collapsed after the seismic event on August 10. At times, the uniformed men risked their lives in search of survivors. Photo: PersonalCorporal Gómez Molina recalls that, bare-handed, without specialized equipment but with full willingness, he arrived with his ten uniformed men at 9:00 a.m. on the same day as the earthquake. Amid anguish and uncertainty, they supported the search efforts for eight days. Next to the collapsed structure, a school served as a temporary shelter for the troops, who organized themselves in shifts and continuous relays to rest briefly and return to the search for survivors. In total, the non-commissioned officer and his team supported the recovery of 15 bodies. Despite the tragedy and the families' pleas, they kept intact the hope of finding a victim alive. The uniformed men supported the work of the rescue agencies. Photo: PersonalThe discovery that marked his lifeOne of the most striking moments for the soldier was the discovery of an elderly couple embracing among the rubble, a reflection of the drama experienced in the building."For a few moments, I noticed my team broken down and sad in the face of a truth that nature was showing us," Gómez Molina recalled. The experience led him to reflect on empathy and faith: "We must give many thanks to God that we are alive. Some are having a hard time, but they are alive; others lost their homes, but they are still alive. I deeply regret those who lost their loved ones, it is very hard." The military personnel also arrived at difficult places to help with the rescue. Photo: PersonalOnce again facing deathJust two days after returning to his military unit, Corporal Gómez and his motorized team faced a new event in which the non-commissioned officer nearly lost his life. It happened during an operation in the district of Tablones, in Palmira, where an intense combat broke out with an organized armed group. In the confrontation, the soldier received four bullet impacts: two remained lodged in his protective vest and two more hit his arm. Amid the confrontation, the unit's rapid reaction allowed them to neutralize the threat and capture one of the alleged criminals."I highlight in my team the discipline and courage in each mission. During the emergency, they worked without giving up, and in the territory, their commitment was to the security of the population," the non-commissioned officer emphasized during his recovery process. This is what Second Corporal Álvaro José Gómez Molina's bulletproof vest looked like after an operation. Photo: PersonalA decade of public serviceSecond Corporal Álvaro José Gómez Molina is 30 years old and a native of Cúcuta. He completes a decade of service in the National Army: he served as a professional soldier for five years in Norte de Santander and, after graduating as a non-commissioned officer, served in Vichada before being assigned to the department of Valle del Cauca. Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERSSign up for our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWSFollow us on GOOGLE NEWS. 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