local
Powerful earthquake in Mexico shakes Guatemala and El Salvador
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
By Uriel Blanco and Merlin Delcid, CNN
(CNN) — A powerful earthquake in southern Mexico shook nearby countries Guatemala and El Salvador on Friday, with the US Geological Survey (USGS) measuring its preliminary magnitude at 7.3.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located 48 kilometers southwest o...
Key takeaway The earthquake’s epicenter was located 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, a town in the Mexican coastal state of Chiapas, according to the USGS.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso residents with family ties to Mexico, particularly those with connections to the coastal state of Chiapas, are likely on high alert following the powerful earthquake. The quake's impact on nearby countries Guatemala and El Salvador serves as a reminder of the region's seismic activity and the potential for El Paso to feel the effects of such events. Although El Paso is not directly affected by the tsunami warning, the city's proximity to the US-Mexico border means that news of the earthquake will be closely watched by local authorities and residents. The lack of serious damage reported so far is a relief, but the situation will continue to be monitored, especially given El Paso's own history of experiencing earthquakes and its location near the Rio Grande rift zone. Local emergency management officials may also be reviewing their own response plans in light of this event.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? By Uriel Blanco and Merlin Delcid, CNN
(CNN) — A powerful earthquake in southern Mexico shook nearby countries Guatemala and El Salvador on Friday, with the US Geological Survey (USGS) measuring its preliminary magnitude at 7.3.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located 48 kilometers southwest o...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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