Colombia Declares Economic Emergency After Deadly Earthquake

Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella declared an economic emergency on Thursday to address the aftermath of a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the country's western region earlier in the week, killing at least 265 people and leaving nearly 500 missing. The disaster, which occurred just three days after De la Espriella was inaugurated, has become the first major test of his administration, prompting criticism over his handling of international aid offers and the timing of controversial diplomatic decrees.

The earthquake hit on Tuesday, August 11, at approximately 7 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in the western part of the country. It was felt strongly in the departments of Chocó, Caldas, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca, and even in neighboring Panama and Ecuador. As of Thursday, official figures from the government stood at 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and 496 missing. The disaster affected over 25,800 families, destroyed more than 11,300 homes, and damaged thousands of other structures, including schools, health centers, and roads. Rescue operations, involving hundreds of workers and volunteers, continued in cities like Cali and Pereira, where teams raced...