President Abelardo de la Espriella visited Quibdó on Aug. 10, 2024, to coordinate emergency responses after a magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck the region [1].
The visit marks a critical effort to provide federal support to the Chocó department, a region often marginalized from national infrastructure and disaster relief efforts.
De la Espriella met with residents and officials to assess structural damage and oversee the search for missing persons. During his visit, the president said the region "will never again be the land of oblivion" [1, 2].
Casualty reports vary significantly between sources. Univision Noticias reported 13 fatalities [1], 119 injuries [1], and 1,467 people affected by the disaster [1]. However, ABC13 reported a much higher death toll, stating more than 100 people died [2].
The earthquake caused widespread destruction across Quibdó and surrounding areas. Emergency crews are currently working to stabilize buildings and provide medical care to those injured in the collapse of local structures.
De la Espriella said the government would prioritize the recovery of the Chocó department to ensure it receives the necessary aid to rebuild. The president said the state's presence in the region would remain constant during the recovery phase [1, 2].
Local officials continue to coordinate with national agencies to manage the displaced population, and secure food and water supplies for those whose homes were destroyed by the tremor [2].
“"Nunca más será la tierra del olvido"”
The discrepancy in fatality reports—ranging from 13 to over 100—suggests significant challenges in communication and casualty tracking in the remote Chocó region. The president's rhetoric regarding the 'land of oblivion' acknowledges a history of systemic neglect in this part of Colombia, making the efficiency of this disaster response a litmus test for the administration's commitment to regional equity.
