Colombia

Colombia Quake: Official Death Toll Tops 180

Is the government's response a showcase of decisive leadership or an improvised failure that left communities behind?

Published 1 hour ago

Colombia Quake: Official Death Toll Tops 180

Story

Above: Rescue workers search for victims under a collapsed building in Pereira on Aug. 11, 2026. Image credit: Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

This earthquake response shows real leadership. Just days into office, President de la Espriella acted fast: declaring a national disaster to unlock emergency funds, deploying his cabinet to hard-hit cities, sending soldiers to prevent looting and setting up a unified command center in Bogotá. Housing aid is reaching victims and international support is flowing in. Compared to Venezuela's slower response to a similar quake, Colombia has moved with clear urgency and coordination.

Economist Voz

Government-critical narrative

The government's earthquake response has been pure improvisation. De la Espriella dropped his wife into a coordinator role with no clear mandate and imposed curfews while ordinary Colombians are doing the real rescue work themselves. And the naval hospital ship Benkos Biohó's status remains unexplained while remote Pacific coast communities are still waiting for aid. This is anything but competent crisis management.

Gustavo Petro on X

Zurdos Col on X