Colombia's earthquake losses estimated at $9.6 billion as rescue gives way to recovery
President Abelardo de la Espriella put a price on last week's devastation as search teams acknowledged that hopes of finding survivors are now razor-thin.
One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake tore through western Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella said preliminary economic losses stand at approximately 30 trillion pesos, or around US$9.6 billion. Of that total, he said roughly 24.5 trillion pesos correspond to damage to buildings and 5.5 trillion pesos to infrastructure.
The human toll remains staggering. Authorities report that around 280 to 289 people have been killed, more than 4,000 injured, and hundreds are still missing. Nearly 10,000 homes were destroyed across at least 15 departments, with the cities of Cali and Pereira among the hardest hit.
Rescue teams are increasingly shifting to recovery operations, with officials describing the chances of finding survivors as razor-thin. Survivors in affected communities have expressed raw grief and frustration over delays in aid and shelter distribution, even as national authorities say they are working to reach remote areas and restore basic services.
De la Espriella also formally asked the U.S. government to suspend tariffs on Colombian exports, framing the request as an emergency measure to ease pressure on affected sectors and help finance reconstruction.
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Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.
