An IDF humanitarian delegation, the "Alliance of Brothers," began operating in Colombia on Saturday after arriving in the country following a major earthquake in the region.
The 80-person delegation, led by the Home Front Command in cooperation with the Defense Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry, was sent after Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella requested assistance from Israel.
Currently, Colombia has requested rescue teams from only four countries: the US, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Israel.
They are working in coordination with local professionals and officials at multiple impacted sites, focusing on two major sites by assisting in locating and rescuing people trapped by rubble.
One such site is the city's university hospital, which experienced considerable damage. Home Front Command engineers are conducting search and rescue operations while attempting to restore the damaged medical wing's operation.
IDF Home Front Command forces operating at impact sites in Cali, Colombia, August 14, 2026. (credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Mapping efforts, building assessments, data management
Mapping efforts and building assessments have begun in order to establish plans and priorities for the ongoing response efforts.
The delegation is also assisting in establishing data management systems in order to manage situational assessments and decision-making to help navigate the complex process.
Colombian authorities confirmed Friday morning that around 400 people remain missing nearly four days after the quake, whose epicenter was in the vulnerable Chocó department on the country’s Pacific coast.
Hundreds have been killed in the earthquake and its resulting damage, and over 4,000 people have so far been documented to have injuries.
Colombia's president thanks Netanyahu
Colombia's President, Abelardo de la Espriella, thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's support during "these very difficult times" in a post on X/Twitter.
According to the post, the two leaders had a conversation discussing relations between the two countries.
The post read, "This is a new time for relations between Colombia and Israel: a relationship based on friendship, solidarity, cooperation, and mutual respect. Colombia and Israel, always friends and allies! Strong for the Homeland!"
Colombia and Israel recently worked to expand cooperation, as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrived in Colombia for the inaugural ceremony of the new Colombian President last week, and Colombia's embassy in Israel was moved to Jerusalem, restoring cooperation after the previous administration cut ties with Israel.
Ariella Roitman contributed to this report.