Colombia Earthquake: Migración Colombia Suspends In-Person Services at Seven Offices as 7.4 Magnitude Quake Kills Over 110

BOGOTÁ, August 11, 2026 — Migración Colombia has temporarily suspended in-person services at seven offices across the country's hardest-hit regions following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, killing at least 110 people and injuring nearly 100 others.

The suspension, announced as a precautionary measure, affects immigration offices in Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Medellín, Pereira, Popayán and Quibdó until further notice. All other Migración Colombia locations across the country continue to operate normally.

Colombia earthquake: Migración Colombia suspends in-person services at seven offices following 7.4 magnitude quake

Earthquake Details

The 7.4 magnitude quake — the strongest recorded in Colombia in the last decade — struck at approximately 12:34 GMT (07:34 local time) on Monday, August 10, 2026. The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the northwestern department of Chocó, about 240 kilometers (149 miles) west of Bogotá.

The tremor was felt strongly across the country, as well as in neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. Two aftershocks have been recorded so far, with magnitudes of 2.8 and 4.8 — the latter "widely felt," according to the director of the Colombian Geological Service.

President Abelardo de la Espriella — who took office just days earlier on Friday — convened an emergency committee and declared a state of national disaster, deploying rescue soldiers to affected areas.

Immigration Services Suspended

Affected Office	Status
Armenia	Suspended until further notice
Cali	Suspended until further notice
Manizales	Suspended until further notice
Medellín	Suspended until further notice
Pereira	Suspended until further notice
Popayán	Suspended until further notice
Quibdó	Suspended until further notice

The temporary suspension may affect immigration processes that require in-person services at these locations, including:

• Foreign national registrations

• Issuance of local identity cards (cédulas de extranjería)

• Status regularizations

• Processing of travel permits (salvoconductos)

• Other in-person procedures

Foreign nationals with scheduled appointments or pending in-person processes at the affected locations should anticipate possible delays until services resume.

Note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not announced any service disruptions related to the earthquake. Ministry services, including visa application processing and adjudication, continue to operate normally.

Airport Closures and Travel Disruptions

Colombia's civil aviation authority (Aeronáutica Civil) has suspended commercial flight operations at six airports following structural damage assessments:

Airport	Status
Armenia	Closed for commercial flights
Buenaventura	Closed for commercial flights
Cartago	Closed for commercial flights
Manizales	Closed for commercial flights
Pereira	Closed for commercial flights
Quibdó	Closed for commercial flights

"Reports indicate damage at the airports in Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura. To ensure safety, air operations at these locations are on hold until the structural damage to the infrastructure is evaluated."— Aeronáutica Civil Statement

These airports are currently limited to medical and government flights only while authorities conduct safety inspections.

Flights from Guillermo León Valencia Airport in Popayán remain restricted due to emissions from the Puracé volcano.

Impact on Travelers

• Flight cancellations and delays expected at affected airports

• Passengers should confirm flight status directly with their airline

• Some airlines, including Avianca, have issued travel alerts for restricted airports including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Cali, and Armenia

• Travelers to and from affected areas should anticipate significant disruptions

Regional Impact and Humanitarian Concerns

The earthquake has devastated Colombia's poorest region. Chocó, at the epicenter of the quake, is the poorest region in the country, already reeling from conflict and poverty.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported damages to infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics, as well as life-threatening gaps in access to health care, shelter, and basic needs.

"Local communities were already facing armed conflict and high levels of poverty long before the ground began to shake. Chocó, at the epicenter of the quake, is the poorest region in the country. We are deeply concerned that today's natural disaster will make the needs on the ground even steeper as people lose access to health care and other essential services."— Nicole Kast, IRC Country Director for Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador

The earthquake comes less than two months after twin quakes devastated parts of Venezuela, killing more than 6,100 people.

Quick Reference Summary

Aspect	Details
Magnitude	7.4
Date	August 10, 2026
Epicenter	San José del Palmar, Chocó department
Depth	107 km (66 miles)
Deaths	At least 110
Injuries	Nearly 100
Affected Immigration Offices	Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Medellín, Pereira, Popayán, Quibdó
Closed Airports	Armenia, Buenaventura, Cartago, Manizales, Pereira, Quibdó
State of Emergency	Declared
Strongest Quake In	Last decade

Official Resources

Resource	Link
Migración Colombia	migracioncolombia.gov.co
Aeronáutica Civil	aerocivil.gov.co
Colombian Geological Service	sgc.gov.co
UN OCHA ReliefWeb	reliefweb.int

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