Former Democratic State Sen. Annette Taddeo announced she's working directly with officials in Washington, Miami-Dade, and Colombia to deploy rescue teams after devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia killing more than 160 people and injuring thousands this week.
Taddeo is Colombian.
“Colombia is the country where I was born, and like so many Colombian-Americans, I have watched these heartbreaking images with profound sadness,” Taddeo said in a release. “Families have lost loved ones, entire communities have been devastated, and too many people are still waiting to be pulled from the rubble. But I refuse to only watch. I have been on the phone with our leaders in Washington and here in Miami-Dade to get rescue teams on the ground as fast as humanly possible — because right now, every hour can mean the difference between life and death.”
According to the release, Taddeo has been in direct contact with the U.S. State Department and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to facilitate urban search-and-rescue (USAR) teams, including Miami-Dade's Florida Task Force 1 to Colombia after the disaster, which has left many people trapped under ruble.
More than 5,000 homes and several buildings are said to be destroyed.
“Miami-Dade is home to some of the finest search-and-rescue professionals on earth, and they are ready to go,” Taddeo added. “I will not rest until every possible resource is racing toward the families still waiting for help.”
Taddeo also listed several organizations for Floridians to support in recovery efforts.
- Cruz Roja Colombiana [Colombian Red Cross]
- World Central Kitchen
- Global Empowerment Mission
Taddeo served District 40 covering part of Miami-Dade County from 2017 to 2022. Taddeo was also the Democratic candidate against U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salzar (R-FL) in Florida's 27th congressional district in 2022.
She is currently running for Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in the Democratic primary. The winner will likely face CFO Blaise Ingoglia in the general election on Nov. 3.
