A Mexican youth football team from Tijuana was stranded in Colombia after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake disrupted travel, prompting government intervention to secure their return. The Leyendas Obeliz squad, which had won a tournament in Armenia, faced uncertainty over flights and logistics amid the disaster.
The Leyendas Obeliz football team from Tijuana, Baja California, found themselves stranded in Colombia after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country on August 10, 2026. The team, which had traveled to Armenia to compete in the International Kids Cup, faced chaotic travel conditions and uncertainty about their return to Mexico. We are from the Leyendas Obeliz team, the team that came to compete here in Armenia, Colombia. We are currently in a complicated situation due to a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that trapped us here,
declared the technical director, Juan Pérez León, as reported in the sources.
Stranded Amid Chaos
Pide ayuda equipo infantil de Tijuana varado en Colombia
The earthquake, which caused widespread infrastructure damage, including closed airports and disrupted roadways, left the 35-member delegation—12 players, 23 others (including coaches and family members)—trapped in Armenia. “We are currently in a complicated situation due to the earthquake that trapped us here. We now have great uncertainty about transportation. We don’t know what will happen if we can leave here or if we will miss flights or how many days we will be stranded,” said Pérez León, according to the sources. The team’s members, including 11-year-old players like Tavito and Eder, shared videos pleading for help on social media, describing their fear and desperation.
We’re scared because of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, Eder said in a video shared by heraldodemexico.com.mx. We came to Colombia for an international tournament and want to return to Tijuana to be with our families. The team’s plight gained attention, prompting the Mexican government to step in. Coaches Juan, Adolfo, and Raúl also shared videos on the team’s official page, repeating the plea for assistance.
Government Response and Logistical Hurdles
SRE gestiona regreso a México de equipo infantil de
The Government of Baja California and Mexico’s Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) coordinated efforts to assist the team. A spokesperson for the SRE confirmed that the embassy in Bogotá was providing permanent support to the group, with the government arranging land transport from Armenia to Bogotá to facilitate their return. “The Embassy continues to provide attention to nationals in vulnerable situations, including a youth football team from Tijuana, Baja California, and other groups also in Colombian territory, with whom they maintain contact and provide ongoing support,” the SRE stated, according to the sources.
We have the support of not being left alone; they will be supporting us. The clearest mission is that they told us this will end only when everyone is reunited with their families in their homes, both the children and the adults,
said Jesús Ochoa, the team’s coordinator, according to the sources.
On August 11, the team was received at the Mexican embassy in Bogotá, where they had a virtual meeting with Velasco. We have the support of not being left alone, and the mission is to reunite everyone with their families, Ochoa said, according to the sources. The SRE emphasized that the government would continue monitoring the situation until all members returned safely. We are grateful to be close to returning home,
Ochoa added in a video shared by the embassy, as reported in the sources.
Equipo infantil de Tijuana en Colombia
Ongoing Challenges and Uncertainty
Despite these efforts, logistical challenges persisted. Some team members remained in limbo, awaiting flight assignments. We don’t know how long we’ll be stranded, said Pérez León, echoing concerns raised by the team. The SRE noted that the earthquake had also disrupted regional transport, complicating the team’s exit. The Embassy remains briding attention to the group, with the government arranging land transport from Armenia to Bogotá to facilitate their return, according to the sources.
The team’s journey highlighted the fragility of travel plans in the wake of natural disasters. We’re physically fine but emotionally shaken, one player said in a video shared by proceso.com.mx. The SRE and Baja California authorities remained in contact with the team, with plans to finalize their return in the coming hours.
The incident underscores the risks faced by international travelers during natural disasters and the critical role of diplomatic support in such crises. The Leyendas Obeliz team, which had previously won the International Kids Cup in Armenia, now faces the challenge of navigating the aftermath of the earthquake while relying on government assistance to return home.
