Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a “state of emergency” in the country following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake this Monday.

Shortly after midday, reports indicated more than 100 fatalities, along with “1,575 homes damaged, 37 completely destroyed, 61 buildings collapsed, and 18 health centers and 52 educational facilities damaged,” the president stated in Bogotá during his first public address following the quake.

Just three days before assuming the presidency, the anti-socialist outsider candidate faces one of the most powerful earthquakes in Colombia's recent history — a situation reminiscent of the scene witnessed in Venezuela last June.

The Colombian Geological Service issued a bulletin placing the earthquake's epicenter in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the province of Chocó.

The Valle del Cauca region was also affected. Speaking from its capital, Cali, for this article, former Colombian Senator John Milton Rodríguez noted that while the northern part of the city sustained no major damage, other areas were not as fortunate.

“Everyone in Colombia — the Christian church, the Catholic Church, and the De la Espriella administration — is delivering humanitarian aid and providing immediate, hands-on support to those affected,” commented Rodríguez, who served in the Senate from 2018 to 2022 and is a close associate of the newly elected president.

Meanwhile, the international community has also expressed its solidarity.

The General Secretariat of the Andean Community announced in a statement that it has activated cooperation mechanisms through the Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention and Response to assist Colombia, one of its member nations.

In a statement shared on social media, the Community expressed its “deep solidarity with the people and Government of Colombia" regarding the earthquake that struck on Monday morning, resulting in "loss of life and injuries.”

Rodríguez remarked that the situation on the ground is difficult. In addition to collapsed structures and missing persons, businesses are closed, and authorities have temporarily cut off electricity to prevent accidents in the streets.

The images of the natural disaster are striking. They are circulating on social media, ranging from footage of tall buildings collapsing in the distance to a large, historic cathedral swaying as if made of paper. These images will remain in the South American nation’s collective memory for generations.

Meanwhile, leftist former President Gustavo Petro has sparked the anger of thousands of Colombians following his remarks upon learning of the earthquake: “The earth is screaming, and who is listening to its messages?”

The former leader implied a connection between the earthquake and the election results — which were unfavorable to his party — and appeared to be seeking an opportunity to attack his political opponents, according to critics online.

Former Congresswoman Katherine Miranda was among those who spoke out. “Instead of sending a message of solidarity to the families affected by this tragedy, you want to stoke a debate,” she fired back. “Don’t be despicable, Petro. This is not the time for your political squabbles. Families are suffering. Respect their pain.”

In contrast, De la Espriella stated: “Today, all Colombians — regardless of political affiliation — must unite behind a single cause: the victims of this natural disaster. The national government will address this tragedy appropriately, and we will extend a helping hand to all Colombians, with God's help.”