María Corina Machado expresses solidarity with Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has conveyed her solidarity with Colombia after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country, resulting in at least 20 fatalities in the cities of Pereira and Manizales.

Machado, referencing Venezuela's own experiences with seismic events, stated on X, "Venezuelans, who have suffered the devastating impact of earthquakes, accompany with our hearts the affected families. We know firsthand how vital international solidarity is in the face of a tragedy of this magnitude." She alluded to the double earthquake that impacted Venezuela in June.

She also extended her support to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and his government, expressing confidence in their "responsibility and diligence" in managing the emergency. The earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in San José del Palmar, Chocó department, at a depth of 82 kilometers, according to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC).

In Quibdó, the capital of Chocó and the closest major town to the epicenter, authorities reported injuries and significant building damage. The tremors were felt strongly across several western and central Colombian cities, causing structural damage in Pereira, Manizales, and Cali. The Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) reported that at least seven Colombian airports sustained damage. Authorities are currently assessing the full extent of the damage and attending to those affected.