At 10:47 AM, a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Villavicencio, Colombia, shaking cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali for a harrowing 45 seconds. In those moments, buildings cracked, power grids failed, and panic gripped the streets.

In Bogotá, a residential high-rise developed dangerous structural damage and began to lean, sparking immediate rescue efforts. Firefighters and volunteers, working side by side, pulled survivors from the rubble—sometimes with nothing but their hands.

Hospitals quickly filled beyond capacity. In the surrounding rural areas, landslides blocked access, cutting off communities in desperate need of help.

President Iván Duque responded swiftly, pledging $50 million in emergency aid and launching a national recovery effort. As night fell, rescue teams kept working under makeshift lights, while everyday citizens formed human chains, shared supplies, and gave shelter to those who had lost everything.

Though the destruction is significant, so is the spirit of the Colombian people—wounded, but unwavering. The road to recovery will be long, but it’s already clear: Colombia is standing strong together.