Colombia Vice President calls for national prayer after deadly earthquake

Colombia earthquake José Manuel Restrepo Gustavo Petro Saavedra family national prayer day

Following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake on August 10 that left at least 329 dead and 247 missing, Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo has called for a national day of prayer. The event is scheduled for August 28 at 18:00 local time, with a central gathering at Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar. The initiative aims to support victims and their families through a symbolic lighting of candles for each life lost.

In a separate development related to the tragedy, former President Gustavo Petro faced criticism after attending a funeral for the Saavedra family, who were victims of the earthquake. Petro described the deceased as a ‘progressive family’ in a social media post, prompting a public rebuke from Ana María Saavedra, the sole survivor of the Saavedra triplets. She requested that the family’s mourning not be used as a political platform, stating that her family does not share his political ideals.

While some family members, such as uncle Carlos Hernán Saavedra, clarified that Petro was personally invited to the service, the incident has sparked debate regarding the intersection of political messaging and private grief during the national recovery process.

Entities

Ana María Saavedra · Cali · Colombia · Gustavo Petro · José Manuel Restrepo · San José del Palmar · Santuario de Fátima

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Ana María Saavedra stated that her family does not share the political ideals of Gustavo Petro. laopinion.co
[● 2 SOURCES] Former President Gustavo Petro described the Saavedra family as a 'progressive' family in a social media post. laopinion.co
[● 2 SOURCES] Gustavo Petro attended a funeral mass for the Saavedra family at the Santuario de Fátima in Cali. elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Ana María Saavedra is the 23-year-old sole survivor of the triplet sisters. elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com · laopinion.co
[● 4 SOURCES] The earthquake caused a building to collapse in Cali. elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com · laopinion.co
[● 4 SOURCES] Ana María Saavedra requested that her family not be associated with any political position. elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com · laopinion.co
[● 3 SOURCES] A major earthquake hit Colombia on August 10, 2026. elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com · laopinion.co
[● 4 SOURCES] The Saavedra family members killed in the earthquake included two triplet sisters, Sofia and Isabella, and their parents. elperiodicodeportivo.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com · laopinion.co