Mexican Rescue Brigade Arrives in Colombia After Earthquake

The Mexican rescue brigade Los Topos Azteca has arrived in Cali, Colombia, to aid in the search and rescue efforts following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country. The brigade, known for its independent operations, landed in Cali after a 41-day mission in Venezuela, where they had been assisting after a series of earthquakes on June 24.

Led by Héctor Méndez, the rescuers were welcomed by Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder. Méndez explained their decision to come to Colombia, stating, "We were in Venezuela for 41 days and decided to come here and not go to Mexico as soon as we saw what was happening. We left the activities in Venezuela, which was already the recovery of fatal victims, to join this great effort to rescue our brothers."

Cali, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, is among the hardest-hit areas, reporting nearly a hundred deaths and significant damage to residential and commercial buildings. Méndez addressed the challenging situation, urging those involved to overcome feelings of victimhood. "We are not victims, we are media workers, we are firefighters, we are the army, we are police, and we are volunteers," he told reporters.

The brigade expressed confidence in their mission, with Méndez adding, "We know we are going to make the maximum effort and that we are going to achieve that these families successfully and happily have their loved ones rescued." Another Mexican rescue group, Los Topos Tlatelolco, stated they would focus on collecting requested humanitarian supplies in coordination with Colombian authorities, rather than deploying operationally.

Colombian officials confirmed that rescue teams from Israel and the United States, meeting international standards, will also be deployed to assist in the ongoing search for survivors trapped in the rubble.