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The disaster tests President Abelardo de la Espriella and his government as it scrambles to find survivors and provide aid. Bogota, Colombia – A deadly magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia barely 72 hours after far-right leader Abelardo de La Espriella was sworn in as the president. The disaster killed more than 260 people, injured thousands and devastated cities and towns in the first major test of leadership for de la Espriella as his government scrambles to search for survivors and provide aid to the most affected communities. The 48-year-old leader declared the disaster an “economic emergency” and announced three days of national mourning before touring the worst-affected areas. Colombia has considerable experience responding to natural disasters.
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Meanwhile, humanitarian aid collected in the capital Bogota and other cities was flown to disaster areas, as temporary shelters were put up for people displaced by the tragedy.
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