A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 281 people and leaving nearly 380 missing as rescue teams race against a critical 72-hour survival window. The Colombian government has approved rescue teams from only four countries—the US, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel—to assist in the disaster response, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.
Israel deploys 80-person rescue delegation
Israel’s Home Front Command dispatched an 80-person delegation from Nevatim Airbase on Thursday night, led by Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Pinto, to provide immediate life-saving assistance. The team, composed of IDF soldiers, reservists, and officials from the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, will focus on mapping destruction sites and conducting search-and-rescue operations upon arrival. The deployment follows a request from Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was inaugurated just four days before the earthquake.
Colombia restricts aid to certified teams
Colombia’s government has limited international rescue efforts to teams from the US, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel, citing international and national certifications as the primary requirement. David Tamayo Roldán, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, stated that only these nations’ teams meet the necessary standards. The decision has drawn attention as other organizations, including the United Nations and Mexico’s "Topos" rescue brigade, reported they had not received a formal request for assistance.
Mayor of Cali leads local response
In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, Mayor Alejandro Eder has been coordinating rescue efforts, including identifying 56 collapsed buildings and deploying 150 rescuers within hours of the quake. Eder, who was conducting a radio interview when the earthquake struck, confirmed that 85 survivors had been pulled from rubble as of Thursday. His administration has prioritized searching for the missing, with officials warning that the chances of finding survivors diminish rapidly after the 72-hour mark.
Historical context of Israeli aid missions
Israel has a long-standing practice of sending rescue teams to disaster-stricken nations, regardless of diplomatic relations. Following Venezuela’s twin earthquakes in June, which killed over 6,000 people, Israel dispatched a delegation despite no official relations since 2009. Colombia’s new administration, under President de la Espriella, has signaled a shift in foreign policy, including plans to move the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem and recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.
Ongoing challenges and international coordination
The Colombian Foreign Ministry has stated it is preparing a list of specific needs for international aid and has requested support from the United Nations Development Programme. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue working around the clock, though hopes of finding additional survivors are fading as the 72-hour window closes. The earthquake has caused widespread damage to homes, schools, bridges, and airports across western Colombia.