Colombia’s Richest Fly to Quibdó to Plan Chocó Earthquake Rebuild

Colombia · Reconstruction

President Abelardo de la Espriella flew to Quibdó with top businessmen to plan rebuilding after the 10 August earthquake.

Colombia’s best-known businessmen went to Quibdó on Monday with President Abelardo de la Espriella. They are helping plan the Chocó earthquake reconstruction.

A High-Profile Visit to Quibdó

President Abelardo de la Espriella traveled to Quibdó on 7 September 2026, accompanied by major business figures. Caracol Radio reported the trip as part of efforts to plan reconstruction after the earthquake.

The businessmen reported to have joined include Jaime and Gabriel Gilinski, Alejandro Santo Domingo, and Luis Carlos Sarmiento. Also present were Fuad Char, Juan Carlos Mora, César Caicedo, and Miguel Cortés, David Vélez and Christian Daes.

What the Earthquake Did

The Servicio Geológico Colombiano put the 10 August quake at magnitude 7.4, at a depth of 103 kilometres. Its epicentre was San José del Palmar in Chocó, and the agency called it the third-strongest in Colombia’s records.

The national disaster agency UNGRD counted 331 dead, 4,439 injured and 240 missing in its 25 August tally. Officials have said the count could still rise.

The Damage in Chocó

The Chocó governor’s office reported 3,138 homes destroyed and 19,186 more affected as of 19 August. That is more than 20,000 homes in all.

It counted 12,637 families displaced. Governor Nubia Córdoba is presenting a plan to rebuild 6,000 homes.

The Earthquake’s Toll in Chocó

The earthquake struck on 10 August 2026 in Chocó, a department in Colombia’s Pacific northwest. It did not hit Cali, which is hundreds of kilometers away in the Valle del Cauca department.

According to El Espectador, the quake destroyed 5,000 homes and damaged 26,000 in Chocó. A later official balance, cited by Infobae, put the figures at 5,221 destroyed and 27,283 damaged.

Rebuilding a Poor Region

Chocó is one of Colombia’s poorest departments, with a majority Afro-Colombian population. The reconstruction effort is crucial for the region’s recovery.

Governor Nubia Córdoba has been coordinating with the national government and businessmen. A pilot project is ready to start in Quibdó with the first 20 homes.

The Petronio Festival Moves to Bogotá

The Petronio Álvarez festival, normally held in Cali, was moved to Bogotá because of the earthquake. Cali’s city government said the move was a consequence of the 10 August earthquake.

The festival celebrates Pacific music and culture, and its relocation highlights the quake’s wide impact.

A National Disaster

The earthquake affected 497 municipalities in 16 departments, according to El Espectador. Across the country, 234,588 homes were destroyed or damaged.

In neighboring Valle del Cauca, reconstruction of 12,500 homes and 10 schools was announced on 3 September. Governor Dilian Francisca Toro led that effort.

Ongoing Seismic Activity

Since 10 August, more than 1,340 earthquakes have been registered, reported Diario Colatino. Local magnitudes ranged from 0.6 to 4.8, with depths up to 120 kilometers.

The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) monitors the activity. The continued tremors complicate recovery efforts.

The Road Ahead

The reconstruction plan for Chocó is still taking shape. The visit by businessmen signals private sector involvement in rebuilding.

Governor Córdoba has called for national attention to the humanitarian situation. The pilot of 20 homes in Quibdó is a first step.

Where This Happened

Chocó and Valle del Cauca, where Cali sits, are neighbouring departments on Colombia’s Pacific side. Quibdó lies roughly 200 to 250 kilometres from Cali.

The Petronio Álvarez festival, normally held in Cali, moved to Bogotá this year because of the earthquake. That is why some coverage has wrongly placed the quake in Cali.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the earthquake hit?

The earthquake struck Chocó, a department in Colombia’s Pacific northwest. It did not hit Cali, which is in the Valle del Cauca department.

Who visited Quibdó?

President Abelardo de la Espriella and several top businessmen visited Quibdó on 7 September. They included Jaime Gilinski, Alejandro Santo Domingo, and Luis Carlos Sarmiento.

How many homes were destroyed?

In Chocó, 5,221 homes were destroyed and 27,283 damaged, according to an official balance. Earlier reports cited 5,000 destroyed and 26,000 damaged.

Why was the Petronio festival moved?

The Petronio Álvarez festival, normally held in Cali, was moved to Bogotá. Cali’s city government said the move was due to the 10 August earthquake.

Sources: Caracol Radio; El Espectador; Infobae; Portafolio; Alcaldía de Cali; Diario Colatino.

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