Guatemala City, Guatemala, Nov 13, 2012 / 12:03 pm
President Otto Perez of Guatemala canceled his visit with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican set for Nov.15 after a second earthquake rocked the Central American country.
"Fortunately no human life was lost," Perez told reporters during a press conference on the latest tremors.
Sources at the Guatemalan embassy at the Holy See told CNA of the president's decision to also cancel his attendance at the Nov. 16-17 Latin American Summit in Cadiz, Spain.
The second earthquake, which occurred on Nov. 11, registered 6.2 on the Richter scale and took place in the city of Champerico located southwest of the capital.
Perez explained that Sunday's quake set off landslides that were particularly severe in the area of Barranca Grande in the San Marcos province, which was hit hard by the initial earthquake last week.
The first disaster – a 7.4 magnitude earthquake – ravaged Guatemala on Nov. 7, leaving 42 people dead, 155 wounded and 1.2 million displaced.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA