Updated August 17, 2026 at 3:55 a.m. Colombia time
President Abelardo de la Espriella announced at 8:10 p.m. on August 16 that David Vélez, Nubank’s co-founder and chief executive, had decided to contribute COP 100 billion to people affected by the earthquake. The statement establishes a financial commitment, not a completed payment.
An announcement attributed to the president
In his post, the president says he spoke with David Vélez a minute earlier and reports his decision to contribute COP 100 billion. Noticias Caracol published an EFE report repeating the announcement at 10:15:28 p.m.
The sources contain no separate statement from Vélez, Nubank or a foundation responsible for the operation. The amount therefore remains attributed to the presidential announcement and EFE’s report.
An amount without a published mechanism
No specific beneficiaries, legal vehicle, timetable, bank transfer, disbursement or distribution method are described. EFE puts the amount at about US$32 million; that conversion belongs to the agency and does not replace the amount announced in pesos.
Three private initiatives that must remain separate
Vélez’s commitment is distinct from the COP 150 billion announced by Jaime Gilinski and Raquel Kardonski for hospitals, health centres and educational facilities in Cali. It is also separate from the fundraising of more than COP 200 billion announced by ANDI.
Adding the announcements without knowing their mechanisms, possible overlap and disbursement status would misrepresent the resources actually available.
What still needs to be documented
The next verifiable steps will be formalisation, identification of the receiving organisation, beneficiary territories or programmes, payment schedule and evidence of how funds are used. Until then, the amount remains an attributed public commitment.
Aid announced while the toll remains provisional
The announcement comes as UNGRD continues to revise the number of affected people and infrastructure. It does not replace public assistance or humanitarian operations already documented.