President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national emergency and sent soldiers, police and specialized rescue teams into the affected areas. The response is the first major crisis for de la Espriella, who took office only days before the earthquake. Alexis Munera/Anadolu via Getty ImagesAlexis Munera/Anadolu via Getty ImagesStr/Xinhua via Getty ImagesAlexis Munera/Anadolu via Getty ImagesAlexis Munera/Anadolu via Getty ImagesAlexis Munera/Anadolu via Getty ImagesCrews also pulled survivors from collapsed buildings elsewhere in the region. The damage sustained by the Manizales Cathedral are pictured after the earthquake in Manizales, Colombia, on August 10, 2026. Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella leaves after leading an earthquake response meeting in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.