Following the catastrophic June 24 earthquakes that devastated La Guaira, Venezuela, a delegation from the Episcopal Conference of Colombia traveled to the disaster zone to offer prayers, aid, and solidarity. Led by Monsignor Francisco Javier Múnera, Archbishop of Cartagena and president of the Colombian bishops’ conference, the visit sought to bolster the spirits of affected communities. According to official figures, the disaster in Venezuela has claimed at least 6,438 lives—primarily in La Guaira—while leaving tens of thousands injured and over 23,000 homes structurally compromised or destroyed.
Expressing that he was “deeply moved” by the widespread suffering, Bishop Múnera commended the resilience of the local population and praised God for the faith sustaining the Church in Venezuela. Accompanied by Fr. Nelson Ortiz of Caritas Colombia and Fr. Raúl Ortiz, assistant secretary of the episcopal conference, the delegation delivered a message of spiritual closeness, urging both nations to deepen their bonds of fraternity and ensure that hope remains steadfast amidst adversity.
The visit comes as Colombia copes with its own recent disaster, following an August 10 earthquake that left at least 287 dead, over 4,000 injured, and nearly 200 missing in the nation’s coffee-growing region. Father Raúl Ortiz noted that while the trip had been planned prior to the tremors in Colombia, the shared tragedy highlights the common pain of both countries. He offered prayers for the victims, the deceased, and the rescue teams working tirelessly to recover survivors on both sides of the border.
Emphasizing the humanitarian mission operating under the banner “After the earthquake, love,” Father Nelson Ortiz reiterated Caritas Colombia’s ongoing commitment to support relief efforts across the border. Concluding the delegation’s visit, Bishop Múnera imparted a blessing upon both Venezuela and Colombia, encouraging believers to strengthen their mutual communion and keep evangelical charity at the center of all recovery efforts.