Latin American Nations Offer Aid After Devastating Colombian Earthquake

A number of countries in the Americas have offered humanitarian aid as well as search-and-rescue support to Colombia after it was struck by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed at least 234 people and injured thousands of others.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday (11/8) that he would send two cargo planes carrying 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid after Colombia requested supplies rather than foreign rescue personnel.

“Colombia only requested humanitarian aid in the form of supplies to help families affected by the earthquake,” Bukele wrote on the X platform.

Bukele added that the first plane departed on Tuesday evening, while the second aircraft took off on Wednesday. The aid had been prepared based on the needs conveyed by Colombian authorities.

The United States Embassy in Bogota stated that the Trump administration had activated its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which arrived on Tuesday to support emergency operations and disaster response coordination.

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa offered to deploy a search-and-rescue team consisting of 47 rescue personnel, specialist dogs and equipment to operate independently for seven days.

“We are preparing our USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team to assist you. We are ready to be deployed whenever you need,” Noboa said.

Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori also expressed solidarity with Colombia and said Peru was ready to help.

Venezuela offered to send specialist rescue teams and humanitarian aid, while Chile’s President Jose Antonio Kast said his country was ready to provide whatever assistance Colombia required.

The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday (10/8), causing damage in several cities, including Cali, Pereira and Quibdo.

Rescue operations are still under way as authorities search for survivors and assess the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.