Topos Azteca rescue operations in Colombia

Following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia, the Mexican rescue brigade Topos Azteca deployed to Cali to assist in search and rescue operations. The group’s presence has been met with public scrutiny regarding their legal status and technical expertise.

Initial tensions arose during a radio interview between brigade leader Héctor Méndez and Colombian journalist Néstor Morales. Morales questioned whether the group possessed official government authorization to operate, leading Méndez to defend the volunteers as being motivated by duty rather than diplomatic protocols. Further criticism emerged from Luis Gustavo Ariza Salvatori, a former civil protection official in Puebla, who labeled the rescuers as ‘vividores y manipuladores de la desgracia ajena’ (opportunists and manipulators of others' misfortune) and questioned their training. In response, Méndez asserted that the brigade has received a positive reception from local authorities and noted that 25 members are actively using specialized equipment in the field.

As relief efforts intensify across Colombia and Venezuela, the deployment of international aid has sparked further debate. While the Colombian National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) has urged local leaders to halt debris removal to avoid disturbing potential survivors, the Topos Azteca has arrived in Cali after having recently assisted in Venezuela. Although the group’s arrival followed initial government restrictions intended to prioritize domestic rescue teams, Colombian legislator Esteban Oliveros has defended their presence, citing the importance of international expertise.