Colombia Earthquake Exposes Deep Neglect in Buenaventura, Residents Say

In the aftermath of the earthquake that rattled

In the aftermath of the earthquake that rattled Colombia's Pacific coast, residents of Buenaventura's most vulnerable neighborhoods are voicing frustration over what they describe as a painfully slow and inadequate government response. The tremor, which struck earlier this week, left hundreds of families scrambling for safety amid crumbling infrastructure and unstable hillsides, but many say the official aid has barely scratched the surface.

Local leaders in districts like La Inmaculada and Punta del Este report that emergency crews arrived hours after the quake, yet delivered only limited supplies—mostly water and basic food kits—while requests for temporary shelter and medical support went unanswered. For a city already grappling with chronic poverty, unemployment, and violence, the disaster has laid bare a system that many feel has long turned a blind eye to their struggles.

"We are used to being forgotten, but this time it is a matter of life and death," said María Fernanda Quiñones, a community organizer who has been coordinating volunteer efforts since the quake. "The government sends promises, but not cranes or doctors. We are left to pick up the pieces with our own hands." Her sentiment echoes across the port city, where makeshift camps have sprung up in schoolyards and church halls.

The national disaster agency has defended its response

The national disaster agency has defended its response, citing logistical challenges posed by the region's rugged terrain and heavy rains in the days following the event. Officials note that more than 200 troops and relief personnel have been deployed, and that a long-term reconstruction plan is in the works. However, residents counter that such assurances are little comfort when their homes remain cracked and unsafe, and when the same neglect has been evident in previous emergencies.

Analysts point to a broader pattern: Buenaventura, one of Colombia's poorest municipalities despite being a key trade hub, has historically received less state investment than other regions. The earthquake, they argue, is not an isolated crisis but a symptom of decades of institutional neglect. As recovery efforts drag on, the question is no longer just about rebuilding structures, but about whether the state will finally treat its citizens as equal partners in that process.