Colombia earthquake response tests new far-right government

What the report says

A deadly magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia has become the first major crisis for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was sworn in only days before the disaster, Al Jazeera reported from Bogota. The quake killed more than 260 people, injured thousands and caused major damage in cities and towns, including Cali, Pereira and hard-hit areas in Risaralda and Choco.

According to the report, de la Espriella declared an economic emergency, ordered three days of national mourning and toured the worst-affected zones. Emergency crews, including firefighters and civil defence teams, were among the first responders, while aid gathered in Bogota and other cities was flown to disaster areas. Temporary shelters were set up for people displaced by the earthquake, and the government announced temporary relief in Risaralda, including rent subsidies and a three-month suspension of utility payments.

The response has been complicated by a difficult handover from outgoing president Gustavo Petro’s administration. Al Jazeera said the national disaster agency was left in a transitional state, with officials from both governments forced to work together. The government also said the president’s office would provide the official updates, contributing to slower information flow.

The report also described major infrastructure disruption, including six airport closures, landslides on roads and damage to a hospital in Cali that forced about 600 patients into temporary tents. The situation highlights both the scale of the disaster and the political pressure on a new administration that campaigned on strong leadership.