Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 23 January 2026

KEY FIGURES

• 50K people evacuated due to wildfires in south-central Chile
• $415M disbursed by IMF for Hurricane Melissa recovery in Jamaica
• 50 deaths during armed clashes recorded in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, so far in 2026

MEXICO: EARTHQUAKE

On 16 January, the National Seismological Service recorded a 5.3-magnitude earthquake off the Pacific coast of Guerrero, with an epicentre 19 kilometres southwest of San Marcos and a depth of 10 kilometres. Authorities activated Civil Protection protocols after residents felt the quake in rural communities and urban areas, but initial assessments reported no significant damage or injuries. The event follows a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the same area on 2 January, underscoring continued seismic activity consistent with an ongoing seismic swarm. National authorities are monitoring the situation closely and maintaining communication with local officials and communities.

CHILE: WILDFIRES

Fast-spreading wildfires raged across Chile’s south-central regions as extreme heat and strong winds continued to drive evacuations and new flare-ups. As of 20 January, authorities reported 21 deaths, around 50,000 people evacuated, more than 1,500 people affected, and at least 325 homes destroyed, mainly in Biobío and Ñuble. Fires burned tens of thousands of hectares nationwide this season, with the heaviest damage concentrated around coastal and inland communes in both regions. Hospitals transferred patients, schools closed after damage, and curfews supported search, rescue, and firefighting operations. The Government declared a constitutional state of catastrophe on 19 January, enabling military deployment and accelerated coordination. The UN in Chile is monitoring developments; no international assistance has been requested.

JAMAICA: HURRICANE MELISSA

Service restoration and reconstruction continue across Jamaica nearly two months after Hurricane Melissa. As of mid-January, electricity reaches 92 per cent of customers, leaving about 54,960 without power. Water service stands at 93.9 per cent nationwide, with acute shortages in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth. Authorities distributed more than 98,000 food packages and 309,000 care packages, while World Central Kitchen served over 5 million meals. Many households remain displaced or in temporary housing below resilience standards, despite support from international engineers, including the Rwanda Defence Force. On 16 January, the Government advanced recovery by launching a shelter reconstruction programme and securing a US$415 million emergency disbursement from the International Monetary Fund.

HAITI: VIOLENCE

Since the beginning of 2026, local human rights organisations reported at least 50 deaths during armed clashes in Port-au-Prince neighbourhoods, while IOM recorded 5,800 newly displaced people. Violence intensified as clashes between armed groups and security forces expanded in densely populated areas. Drone strikes and sustained gunfire trapped thousands of civilians under armed group control. Medical access has deteriorated sharply. MSF treated more than 100 violence-related injuries in early January and suspended activities in Bel Air. Ambulance insecurity delayed surgical referrals, leaving many critically injured patients to reach care late or by non-medical means.