- A major earthquake in Chocó has suspended immigration services across seven regional offices in Colombia.
- The United States committed fifteen point five million dollars in emergency aid to assist disaster recovery.
- Travelers face significant flight disruptions at multiple regional airports while structural safety assessments continue.
As of August 12, 2026, the Chocó Earthquake disrupted immigration and consular work in Colombia, including pending visa appointments tied to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. It struck at 7:34 a.m. local time on August 10, 2026. The hit was fast.
The embassy described damage across the country.
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"The earthquake was felt in cities across the country. Multiple cities have sustained damage to buildings, infrastructure, and roads. The U.S. Embassy is continuing to monitor the situation."
Washington moved quickly. Marco Rubio said, "The Trump Administration is closely monitoring the large earthquake that struck Colombia and stands ready to support the people of Colombia and President Abelardo De La Espriella’s administration." He also urged U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, for updates. It helps.
State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department is "actively assisting" U.S. citizens, and that an emergency aid package of $15.5 million has been committed for emergency shelter, food, protection, and earthquake assessments. Official reports from the UN and the Colombian National Unit for Disaster Risk Management put the death toll at at least 176 to 254 and injuries at more than 2,500. President Abelardo de La Espriella declared a State of National Disaster. He sent rescue teams to Chocó.
Migración Colombia suspended in-person services until further notice at seven regional offices. The closure list covers Quibdó, Medellín, Cali, Armenia, Manizales, Pereira, and Popayán. The agency said the affected services include foreign national registrations, identity cards (cédulas de extranjería), status regularizations, and travel permits (salvoconductos). Other locations remain open. Delays are expected.
Seven regional offices have halted in-person work
| Office | Status |
|---|---|
| Quibdó | In-person services suspended until further notice |
| Medellín | In-person services suspended until further notice |
| Cali | In-person services suspended until further notice |
| Armenia | In-person services suspended until further notice |
| Manizales | In-person services suspended until further notice |
| Pereira | In-person services suspended until further notice |
| Popayán | In-person services suspended until further notice |
Flights to Bogotá are harder while offices stay open
Commercial flight operations are suspended at airports serving Quibdó, Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Popayán because crews are still checking structural damage. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or Cancillería, and the embassy continued to operate normally as of August 11. Air travel is the bottleneck. The doors stayed open.
USCIS says missed interviews can be rescheduled
USCIS policy gives people who miss interviews or biometrics after natural disasters case-by-case flexibility. The agency says there is "flexibility if you were unable to appear for a scheduled interview." Applicants can request rescheduling through the visa scheduling portal. The rule sits in Chapter 2 of the Policy Manual. It applies case by case.
Damage keeps rising as officials post reopenings
Damage remains widespread. Officials say 61 buildings have collapsed and over 1,500 homes sustained heavy damage, and a major hospital in Cali suffered a partial collapse. Travelers are being told to watch @USEmbassyBogota and @MigracionCol for office reopening notices. U.S. citizens needing emergency help can call +57-1-275-2000. The line is open.
