Earthquake in Colombia kills at least 111

A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia early Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 111 people and causing widespread damage. The powerful tremors jolted the region, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting a national emergency response.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC). The seismic event occurred at a depth of 96 kilometers, making it the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in at least a decade. The coffee-growing Risaralda department and its capital, Pereira, were particularly hard-hit, as were the Cauca Valley department and its capital, Cali.

Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who is personally coordinating the state's disaster response, pledged to provide hourly updates on the situation. The earthquake's impact was felt across borders, with tremors reported in neighboring Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. In response to the disaster, U.S. Secretary of State Marc Rubio offered U.S. assistance to Colombia, an offer echoed by numerous other countries.

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I will personally coordinate the state's response to the disaster and will provide updates on the situation every 2-3 hours.