President De La Espriella announces unified command post after

On August 10, 2026, a magnitude‑7.4 earthquake struck the Colombian morning, prompting President Abelardo De La Espriella to announce the establishment of a unified command post in Bogotá. The measure aims to coordinate the State's response to damage and victims in the hardest‑hit regions.

Installation of the unified command post

Soon after the quake, the president used the X network to announce that he would personally take charge of the emergency coordination in San José del Palmar. De La Espriella ordered the creation of a unified command post, which will operate from the facilities of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in Bogotá, and requested from the UNGRD director a report on the situation and the most urgent needs.

Earthquake details

The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) recorded the seismic event at 7:34:27 a.m., at a depth of 103 kilometres. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar, in the Chocó department, 12 kilometres from that municipality, 27 kilometres from El Cairo (Valle del Cauca) and 29 kilometres from El Águila, also in Valle del Cauca. The coordinates were 4.99° latitude and -76.29° longitude.

President's reaction and travel

In a video released around 10 a.m., the president said he would suspend all scheduled activities in the capital to focus efforts on the emergency. De La Espriella stated that he would travel to Bogotá to lead, from there, the response actions in the affected regions, including Chocó and the Coffee Axis. He also announced that he would travel personally to Pereira to meet the affected people and assess the government response.

Impacts in the affected cities

According to the Asocapitales association, the preliminary tally shows 21 fatalities across Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó. In Pereira, Mayor Mauricio Salazar reported 18 deaths. In Manizales, two deaths were confirmed, along with more than 12 buildings partially or completely destroyed and over 20 homes damaged. In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, one death was recorded, in addition to injured persons and damage to structures; the numbers are still being consolidated.

Bogotá's support and rescuer mobilization

The president of Asocapitales and mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán, took charge of monitoring the emergency from the association. Bogotá did not suffer serious structural damage, but made part of its response capacity available. One hundred rescuers were prepared to be deployed to CATAM and to the cities prioritized by the national government.

State commitment

In his communications, De La Espriella emphasized that “they are not alone” and that the State is present and active. The president highlighted that he will continue to closely monitor the affected regions, ensuring that national authorities keep attention on the areas hit by the earthquake.

With information from El Tiempo.