A 45-member team of Mexican search-and-rescue experts has arrived in Colombia to help save survivors buried in the rubble after a 7.4 earthquake hit the southwest region of the nation Monday morning.
The Azteca International Rescue Brigade, known as the Topos, or Moles, for their skill in tunneling through debris, confirmed their arrival in the South American country via social media, where they wrote in part, “We are ready to put our hands, our knowledge, and our hearts at the service of our Colombian brothers and sisters. Stay strong, Colombia!”
La brigada internacional “Topos Azteca” de #México llegó a Cali para sumarse a las labores de rescate tras el terremoto en #Colombia.
El diputado del Valle del Cauca, @EstebanOli, informó el arribo de los rescatistas mexicanos liderados por el legendario rescatista Héctor… pic.twitter.com/3ss0Lc6fQd
— David de la Paz 戴维 (@daviddelapaz) August 12, 2026
The Mexican brigade traveled to Colombia directly from La Guaira in Venezuela, where they were still participating in operations following the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes in that neighboring country on June 24. They reached the Colombian city of Cali more than 30 hours after the earthquake, but within the critical 48-hour window for locating people trapped under fallen buildings, according to information released by Noticias RCN.
Their help was not welcomed at first, according to press reports. The Colombian government, headed by far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella, initially rejected Mexican assistance, citing “sovereignty” and insisting that Colombians had “the emergency covered.”
The Topos reportedly responded that they would respect Colombia’s refusal, and would wait for a new Damage and Needs Assessment. By Wednesday morning, they were able to write on X: “We are here, Colombia!”
The contingent is equipped with technological tools for search operations, including infrared cameras designed to locate possible victims under the rubble, according to Yahoo News reports.
The epicenter of Monday’s earthquake was in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó in southwestern Colombia. Also suffering damage were the departments of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Quindío and Caldas.
The official death toll provided by departmental authorities on Wednesday was at least 240 victims, although the federal government placed it at 188.
With reports from El Financiero, Vanguardia, Infobae and Le Monde
