The news, although predicted in recent years by scientists and political leaders, is alarming: Losses from natural disasters reached $100 billion during the first half of 2026, according to a study by the Swiss Re Institute.
Among the major natural disasters analyzed are the earthquakes in Venezuela, Colombia, and Indonesia, which “are a stark reminder that earthquakes remain a constant risk for much of Latin America and the world, with the potential to devastate lives, communities, and local economies in an instant.”