Latin American nations extend sympathy to Libya in wake of deadly storm

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba conveyed their condolences to Libya on Tuesday after Storm Daniel claimed the lives of thousands of people and left over 10,000 missing.

Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy that occurred in Libya.

"Colombia expresses its solidarity with the Libyan government and people and hopes for their speedy recovery from this catastrophe," said the statement.

Argentina also extended its solidarity to the Libyan people in the wake of the cyclone that recently devastated parts of the country. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the government “expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a recovery to the injured."

Cuba also offered its condolences to the people and government of Libya. Bruno Rodriguez, Cuba's foreign minister, expressed the “heartfelt condolences” of the Cuban people and government “for the loss of human lives and property” in the aftermath of the storm.

The Venezuelan government joined in expressing solidarity and support for Libya.

"Venezuela conveys its deepest condolences and solidarity to our brotherly Libyan people in the face of the tragedy they have endured due to Cyclone Daniel," said Foreign Minister Yvan Gil.

Daniel has caused floods and destruction in the cities of Benghazi, Al Bayda and Al-Marj, as well as Soussa and Derna.

The heavy rains in northeastern Libya caused two dams and four bridges to collapse in Derna, submerging much of the city. The country's official state news agency, LANA, announced that the number of deaths in the city had increased to 5,300 and thousands of people were missing.

According to officials, the amount of rainfall in the eastern regions of the country was the highest recorded in more than 40 years.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the head of Libya’s Tripoli-based unity government, announced three days of mourning Monday due to the flood disaster and authorities are calling for assistance from the international community to help retrieve the bodies of victims that have been swept out to sea.