Colombia leader asks Trump to suspend tariffs after deadly quake

Colombia's new President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested that US President Donald Trump temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian products. This plea comes as Colombia is recovering from a deadly earthquake. The tariffs, which increased from 10% to 12.5% in late July, are impacting Colombian businesses. De la Espriella stated that suspending these tariffs would provide relief to business owners facing difficult times due to the earthquake's effects. The two leaders reportedly had a friendly conversation, during which Trump offered condolences for the earthquake victims.

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested that U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian products. This plea comes as Colombia grapples with the aftermath of a recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 294 people and caused widespread damage, with reconstruction costs estimated at $6.4 billion. The U.S. tariffs, which increased in late July, are a significant burden on Colombian businesses, especially as the U.S. is Colombia's largest export market. President de la Espriella described his conversation with President Trump as "friendly and cordial," emphasizing the country's difficult economic situation and the need for relief. The White House cited failures to uphold anti-forced labor measures as the reason for renewed tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners, including Colombia.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing widespread devastation. As of Friday morning, over 280 people were confirmed dead, thousands injured, and more than 12,000 homes destroyed. The earthquake affected urban centers like Cali and Pereira, as well as remote areas in the Chocó department. Hundreds remain missing despite rescue efforts. The Colombian President has pledged government support, but aid groups are crucial for providing shelter, supplies, and economic assistance, especially in isolated regions like Chocó. Experts advise that cash donations are most effective for aid organizations. Several U.S. and Colombian organizations are collecting donations to support recovery efforts, including providing food, medical supplies, and psychosocial support. A benefit concert featuring Latin music stars is also scheduled to raise funds for relief.

Colombia has declared three days of national mourning following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed over 200 people and injured thousands more. The powerful quake, the strongest to hit the country in a century, occurred on Monday, flattening buildings and damaging roads across western Colombia. Rescue efforts are underway to find survivors trapped beneath rubble, with the urgency increasing as the disaster enters its third day. The government has lowered flags to half-staff in honor of the victims. This crisis is also a significant early test for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who recently took office. Civilian databases suggest the number of unaccounted for individuals may be significantly higher than official figures.

Rescuers in western Colombia pulled a 32-year-old woman, Daniela Largo, alive from collapsed building rubble on Tuesday, over 24 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the region. The rescue sparked joy among onlookers and relatives as crews continued searching for survivors. Authorities revised the national death toll to 216 following corrections from local officials in Cali. A neighbor reportedly heard Largo's cries for help, initiating debris removal before professional rescuers arrived. Largo's mother expressed happiness that her daughter, whose 12-year-old son is awaiting her return, was found alive.

A 32-year-old woman, Daniela Largo, was rescued alive from beneath a collapsed building in Pereira, Colombia, 36 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake. Emergency workers conducted a 10-hour operation, digging a tunnel to reach her under four concrete slabs. A local resident heard her cries for help, and a camera helped locate her. The earthquake has resulted in at least 188 deaths nationwide, with 79 confirmed fatalities in Pereira.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, causing widespread damage and killing at least 132 people. The worst affected cities include Cali and Pereira, where rescuers are frantically searching through collapsed buildings for survivors. Over 2,700 people have been reported missing, and approximately 1,600 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella has mobilized the military and police to assist in rescue efforts, prioritizing the recovery of those trapped under rubble. The remote Choco region, near the epicenter, faces particular challenges in assessment due to its inaccessibility. Authorities warn the death toll may rise as search teams reach more affected areas.

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, with its epicenter in the Chocó department. The quake caused buildings to collapse and severely damaged scores of structures in cities like Cali and Pereira. At least 132 people were killed and over 570 injured. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that the national government has deployed all capabilities to rescue trapped individuals, assist affected communities, and deliver aid. The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Venezuela.

Colombia has declared a state of emergency following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, one of the largest in years, which struck at 07:34 GMT. The quake's epicenter was in Chocó province, near the Pacific Coast, at a depth of 103km, but its tremors were felt hundreds of kilometers away. At least 132 people have died, with the death toll expected to rise as more individuals are feared trapped under collapsed buildings. Over 480 people were injured, with the city of Pereira experiencing some of the worst damage, including building collapses. The earthquake's impact was concentrated in Pereira and surrounding areas in the Valle del Cauca region, though the village closest to the epicenter reported no casualties.

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and the collapse of over a dozen buildings. This seismic event, described by Colombia's Geological Service as the highest magnitude earthquake in the country in the last decade, was followed by two aftershocks measuring 2.8 and 4.8. The earthquake also led to evacuations and the suspension of flights at several airports, including those in Manizales, Quibdo, Armenia, Cartago, Buenaventura, and Pereira.

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia and neighboring countries on Monday, with its epicenter near San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region. The quake, felt across the region, prompted widespread evacuations and concerns about aftershocks. While the United States Geological Survey reported the magnitude at 7.4, Colombia's geological service initially put it at 6.6. Emergency teams are assessing the impact, with significant damage to buildings reported in Quibdo, the capital of Choco. In Bogotá, the earthquake caused alarms to sound and people to flee into the streets, though no serious structural damage or injuries were reported there. Authorities in Colombia and Ecuador urged residents to remain alert as assessments continue.

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the western part of Colombia, resulting in at least 111 fatalities and dozens of injuries. Local officials reported the significant seismic event. The earthquake's impact led to the crumbling of buildings, as indicated by accompanying visual content. The description focuses on the immediate aftermath and casualty figures.