When the ground of Cali moved, the superheroes sprouted: Chronicle a month later
Being born and growing up in Cali teaches you that the earth here moves, but to the rhythm of salsa. However, it is now a little more than a month since our reality changed in just 90 seconds. On August 10, 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake reminded us of our vulnerability. At my 35 years, having walked and lived this city through good times and bad, I had never seen my branch in the sky soaked in such overwhelming silence.
The Day When Reality Outweighed Fiction
When the structures began to creak and the ground shook violently, I confess that for a second I felt trapped in a superhero movie; everything seemed unreal, worthy of a Hollywood apocalyptic scene. But the real impact came immediately afterwards, when the crowd passed and we took to the streets of Cali. No layers or superpowers were needed. I saw neighbors breaking debris with bare hands to bring out others, perfect strangers organizing traffic, and old people keeping the younger calm. Amidst the chaos, I realized a comforting truth: all of us Caleños were the heroes of this story.
The numbers of a wounded branch
This civil heroism was the immediate response to a tragedy that has left an indelible mark: 154 people killed, more than 1,500 injured, and thousands of families now sleeping in temporary shelters because they lost everything. Emblematic buildings suffered the collapse of their structures. You can still feel the crackle of debris and the echo of panic, stirred by the recent responses that made us evacuate again just a few days ago.
The strength of everyday heroes
A month later, the wounds are still open and fear beats with each small tremor. However, if we natives of this land know anything, it is that the branch does not give up. Amidst pain and dust, the resilience of our people is stronger than any catastrophe. Cali is rising, and it will do so with the strength of its own everyday heroes.
