Earthquake in Colombia: 7.4-magnitude tremor felt in several cities; serious damage to buildings reported in Cali and Manizales

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, at 7:34 a.m., with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó department, at a depth of 96 kilometers, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC). The tremor was felt in major cities including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Manizales, and caused serious damage to buildings in Cali and Manizales. A 4.6-magnitude aftershock was recorded at 8:18 a.m. in Nóvita, Chocó. The SGC, led by director Julio Fierro Morales, activated alerts across wide areas of the country. Local authorities are assessing structural damage and potential casualties, though no official death toll has been released yet. The event underscores the region's seismic vulnerability and may trigger emergency response and reconstruction efforts.

Global Impact

Economically, the earthquake will likely strain Colombia's fiscal budget for emergency response and reconstruction, potentially widening the deficit and pressuring the peso. Politically, the government faces pressure to demonstrate effective disaster management, which could influence public confidence.