This is how local leaders and politicians reacted to the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook Colombia on August 10: “A tragedy cannot become a tool for political gain.”

On the morning of August 10, 2026, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter located in the department of Chocó, near San José del Palmar. The strong tremor caused structural damage, injuries, and significant impacts, particularly affecting the epicentral region where the young son of Bahía Solano's mayor was reported trapped under rubble.

The earthquake was felt forcefully across major Colombian cities, including Pereira, Cali, Armenia, Manizales, and the capital, Bogotá. In the aftermath, local authorities and politicians responded to the disaster, prompting warnings from officials that the emergency must not be exploited for political purposes.