Norberto Paredes

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia severely damaged the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali, killing six people and forcing the evacuation of more than 100 pediatric patients, including 36 newborns. Nurses, doctors, administrators and relatives carried children, beds and medical equipment down the stairs while critically ill patients on ventilators were transferred once it was safe. Nurse coordinator Lady Gallego, anesthesiologist Claudia Komaromi and communications chief Lorena León describe the fear, improvisation and solidarity that enabled the hospital team to protect patients. The emergency left psychological, physical and operational consequences, with the hospital expected to take months to recover its full capacity.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake severely damaged the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali, including the partial collapse of a tower that housed critical units, killing six people. Pediatric coordinator Lady Gallego led the evacuation of 105 children, including 36 newborns, while anesthesiologist Claudia Komaromi remained with a sedated brain-tumor patient in the operating room until evacuation was possible. More than 100 healthcare workers, administrators, emergency crews and members of the public worked to stabilize and relocate patients, including premature babies and patients dependent on mechanical ventilation. The hospital operated in improvised outdoor facilities for much of the day, and images of staff caring for newborns went viral. Despite lasting psychological, physical and operational consequences, staff emphasized professional dedication and widespread solidarity from Cali, Colombia and beyond.

Thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea, with Spanish authorities estimating that as many as 60,000 arrived and confirming at least 57 deaths. The influx, including thousands of minors, prompted Spain to deploy military forces, reinforce naval support and install additional barriers, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it an attack on Spain’s territorial integrity. Moroccan-Spanish tensions have intensified over the status of Ceuta and Melilla, migration enforcement and a recent Spanish court ruling limiting immediate returns to Morocco. Spain’s opposition and the White House criticized Sánchez’s policies, while Morocco’s ambassador denied that the situation was desired by Rabat and urged migrants to return. Crossings were largely contained the following day, but the humanitarian and security situation in Ceuta remained serious.

More than 100 social housing buildings in Venezuela’s Ciudad Chavez complex collapsed or suffered severe damage after two major earthquakes, raising concerns about construction quality and oversight. Residents described the structures as too weak to support their weight, while the Turkish contractor Summa stated that the buildings were built according to regulations in place at the time and that the earthquakes exceeded expected design limits. Government leaders attributed the destruction to the magnitude of the quakes, while survivors recounted significant loss, trauma, and the deaths of neighbors and family members. Many displaced residents now rely on temporary shelters and await relocation.

Families in La Guaira search for missing relatives in a makeshift morgue after twin earthquakes in Venezuela killed more than 2,600 people, overwhelming local services and forcing improvised identification procedures using images, clothing and dental records. Long waits, difficult conditions and rapid decomposition complicate efforts as survivors recount emotional ordeals while awaiting paperwork and recovery of remains.

Families in La Guaira endure long waits at a makeshift morgue created after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, which have killed more than 2,600 people. With infrastructure overwhelmed, bodies are stored in tents or outdoors, and identification often relies on viewing hundreds of images on screens or searching for distinguishing features. Forensic teams work with dental records and fingerprints where possible, while relatives face delays in retrieving remains and completing paperwork. Many recount traumatic experiences as they search for missing loved ones amid ongoing recovery efforts.

An improvised morgue in Los Silos, La Guaira, holds hundreds of bodies recovered after Venezuela’s devastating double earthquake, leaving families waiting under extreme conditions to identify missing relatives. Bodies lie in the open heat, accelerating decomposition, while forensic teams struggle with identification through images, clothing and tattoos. Families recount harrowing experiences as they search for loved ones, some recognizing them only through small personal details. The death toll approaches 2,600, with expectations it will rise as rescue efforts continue and many victims remain under debris. The identification and release process is slow, adding to families’ anguish.

Rescue teams and residents in La Guaira search through collapsed buildings after powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, repeatedly halting work to listen for signs of life amid frequent false alarms. Many relatives criticize slow government response as hope for survivors fades. Exhausted volunteers continue clearing debris while families mourn missing loved ones and frustration turns to anger over rescue delays.

Several right-wing politicians in Latin America and Europe reference El Salvador’s large-scale prisons and President Nayib Bukele’s hardline security policies as models for combating crime. These policies appeal to voters concerned about insecurity and migration and are perceived as producing rapid results, including reduced homicide rates. Critics and human rights organizations warn that the model relies on mass detentions, weakened democratic institutions and documented abuses. Attempts to replicate the approach in countries such as Ecuador and Honduras have not produced comparable declines in violence, highlighting the model’s dependence on El Salvador’s unique political conditions.

Large areas of Venezuela remain without significant government assistance following two devastating earthquakes, leaving residents to conduct much of the rescue work themselves. An aftershock intensified anxiety as volunteers continued to dig through rubble amid anger over delayed official support. Authorities report more than 1,700 deaths and tens of thousands missing, while international teams and aid have begun to bolster local efforts. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced new measures including damage assessment and temporary housing, as the UN warned of rising casualties and extensive structural collapse. The US, Netherlands and China pledged additional aid, with the US military reopening the Port of La Guaira to accelerate relief operations.

Rescue teams and residents in La Guaira repeatedly halt operations to listen for possible survivors beneath collapsed residential towers after devastating earthquakes, but hopes often fade as false alarms are declared. Families express growing frustration and anger at delayed official rescue efforts, while volunteers and relatives continue digging through rubble in search of loved ones amid rising casualties and diminishing chances of survival.