Bogota, Colombia – A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia just 72 hours after right-wing leader Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as president.
The disaster has killed more than 260 people, injured thousands, and devastated numerous cities and towns. It is seen as the first leadership test for de la Espriella's administration as emergency crews race to find survivors and support the hardest-hit communities.
The 48-year-old leader declared the disaster an "economic emergency" and announced three days of national mourning before visiting the worst-affected areas.
Colombia has significant experience in disaster response. Firefighters were the first to reach affected areas, followed by officials from the Civil Defense Department and other emergency services.
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid collected in the capital Bogota and other cities has been flown to disaster zones, while temporary camps have been set up for displaced residents.
Within 24 hours of the quake, heavy machinery, cranes, and excavators were operating in Cali, Pereira, and other affected cities. However, in smaller, more isolated towns, residents are still clearing debris by hand, with many communities lacking electricity and basic services.
On Tuesday, the government announced temporary support for families in Risaralda, one of the hardest-hit regions, including rent subsidies and a three-month suspension of utility bills for affected households.
However, the response has been partly hampered by a botched transition from the previous left-wing government of Gustavo Petro. A lack of proper handover has left the National Disaster Risk Management Agency in limbo, with an acting director from the previous administration working alongside a new team.
The government announced that the disaster response agency would not be the official source of updates. Instead, the executive branch, particularly the presidential office, would be solely responsible for providing information, including official death tolls. As a result, updates have been slow, forcing residents and journalists to piece together information from local authorities.
Some affected communities near the epicenter in Choco, one of Colombia's poorest regions, live amid dense rainforests with poor roads and a long history of state neglect and armed conflict. Communication in these areas remains difficult, making it hard to determine the full extent of the damage.
Critical infrastructure has also been affected. Aviation authorities closed six airports due to the earthquake, while dozens of roads were hit by landslides. In Cali, several floors of a major hospital collapsed, forcing about 600 patients to be moved to temporary tents. Many other medical facilities were also damaged.
For a president who took office vowing "decisive leadership and tough-on-crime policies," the earthquake is an immediate and unexpected test. How he handles the situation and whether Colombia's deeply divided political class can cooperate during this emergency will help shape his just-begun presidency.
