Disasters & Incidents
Colombia quake losses put at $9.57bn, president says
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said Tuesday that the August 10 earthquake caused $9.57 billion in economic losses, issuing a preliminary estimate after the disaster in western Colombia.
The 7.4-magnitude quake has killed 289 people, injured 4,187 and left 143 missing. Nearly 27,000 homes were destroyed, leaving many people sleeping in streets or public parks. Dozens of hospitals and schools also collapsed or were damaged.
“Imagine the scale of the disaster,” De la Espriella said.
The president said he had tasked his housing minister with launching a reconstruction plan with private-sector backing.
De la Espriella also reiterated a request for the United States to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods during a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying the move would give the economy some reprieve. Tariffs on Colombian imports rose from 10 percent to 12.5 percent in late July, with exceptions for some exports including oil and coffee.
The earthquake struck three days after De la Espriella, a right-wing lawyer and business magnate, took office.
Update
President Abelardo de la Espriella reiterated a request for the United States to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods during a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 20:54:16 UTC.
Update
President Abelardo de la Espriella put preliminary economic losses from the August 10 earthquake at $9.57 billion.
The latest toll in the item stands at 289 dead, 4,187 injured and 143 missing.
De la Espriella said he had tasked Housing Minister Jaime Andres Beltran with launching a reconstruction plan backed by the private sector.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 15:27:11 UTC.
Update
Shakira visited Choco, described as the quake epicenter.
Shakira visited some of the 40 schools destroyed in the disaster.
Shakira vowed to rebuild 10 schools and said she had raised an initial $1 million contribution.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 00:41:35 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The $9.57 billion economic loss figure is a preliminary estimate.
Source
AFP news report published on .