José Carlos Cueto

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia’s Chocó department on 10 August 2026, killing at least 132 people and injuring more than 480. Pereira was among the hardest-hit areas, with at least 40 deaths, 65 collapsed buildings and possible survivors trapped in 15 structures; Cali, Manizales, Quibdó and other locations also suffered deaths and extensive damage. More than 1,500 homes were damaged, airports were affected and the shaking was felt in Bogotá and neighboring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a national disaster, while the United States, European Union and El Salvador offered assistance. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as search-and-rescue operations continue.

Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration in Cali departed from Colombian tradition by taking place outside Bogotá and by moving the presidential address from a civilian venue to a military battalion. Three moments highlighted the likely direction of his government: an unusually prominent religious ceremony, including support for Israel and plans to move Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem; a militarized, hard-line security speech promising to defeat narcoterrorism and abandoning dialogue with criminal groups; and the appearance of Luis Felipe Yagüé, a small-business vendor presented as a symbol of the president’s popular support and beneficiary of the La Ruta Milagro program. The ceremony suggested a government centered on faith, military authority, security and support for entrepreneurs, while raising concerns about Colombia’s constitutional secularism.

Colombia was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by Switzerland in a penalty shootout after a scoreless match marked by a lack of finishing and subdued performances from key players such as James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz. Despite strong overall play earlier in the tournament, the team struggled with precision and confidence in this decisive match. Secondary players carried much of the load, while nervousness and aging squad dynamics raised questions about the team’s future. Under coach Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia has shown significant progress, but the loss highlights the need for renewal and greater consistency from its stars.

Ceuta and Melilla have been under Spanish control since the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, respectively, after Ceuta was conquered by Portugal and later retained by Spain and Melilla was taken by Castile. Their strategic positions near the Strait of Gibraltar made them important military, commercial and anti-piracy bases, and they remained Spanish after Morocco gained independence in 1956. Morocco claims the cities as part of its vision of Greater Morocco, but the United Nations does not classify them as non-self-governing colonies, while international-law experts say Spain’s case is strengthened by their long-standing integration into the Spanish state. The cities’ autonomy, economic dependence on Morocco and role as land entry points into the European Union have made them flashpoints for migration and diplomatic crises. Spain’s 2022 support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara improved bilateral relations but did not formally end Morocco’s claims.