Abelardo de la Espriella, president of Colombia for just three days, reacted this Monday with a direct message to his fellow citizens following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the western part of the country: he suspended all his agenda, called for an emergency command center, and declared a national disaster.
In a video posted on his official X account, De la Espriella addressed Colombians in a personal and direct tone.
“To the Colombians who are going through difficult times today, I want to say: you are not alone. You have a President who cares about his people and who will do everything necessary to protect you, support you, and move forward together with the affected regions,” the President declared.
De la Espriella announced his immediate relocation to the capital to take over the operational control of the government's response from the headquarters of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).
“I am heading to Bogotá to focus on addressing the emergency our country is facing. I have convened a Unified Command Post at the UNGRD, from where I will personally lead the actions to assist the communities in Chocó, the Coffee Axis, and all the affected areas,” he detailed.
"I have taken direct leadership of the emergency response in San José del Palmar. I have ordered the establishment of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the assistance for the damages and those affected," he added.
The president indicated that he has requested a detailed report on the situation and the most urgent needs from the director of the UNGRD.
De la Espriella also announced his presence relocation to Pereira, one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquake, "to support those affected and verify the government's response."
"You are not alone. The State is present and taking action", he emphasized.
The official account of the Presidency added: "The President is with the UNGRD assessing the situation, reviewing reports from across the national territory, and coordinating necessary actions. The National Government remains vigilant and responsive."
Colombian media showed the moment when De La Espriella arrived at the crisis room of the UNGRD to address the emergency.
Another video posted on the president's official account showed him at the helm of the crisis cabinet.
Shortly after, the president declared a national disaster, a constitutional mechanism that allows him to adopt exceptional measures and issue legislative decrees to address the crisis, after assessing the damages in Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, and Quindío.
The Vice President and the Balance of the Tragedy
Vice President José Manuel Restrepo also spoke out:
"Right now, the most important thing is to protect life, rescue those who are trapped, care for the injured, and provide aid to the hardest-hit communities. Together, we will overcome this emergency."
The earthquake, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó, was registered at 7:34 AM (local time) and was felt in practically all of Colombia, as well as in Ecuador and Panama.
At least 70 people lost their lives, with 40 deaths concentrated in the metropolitan area of Pereira.
In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder reported 25 collapsed structures with people trapped inside. Airports in seven cities suspended operations due to damage to their infrastructure.
The United States Geological Survey has issued an orange alert with concerning estimates: the most likely scenario places the final toll between 100 and 1,000 fatalities, with a 20% probability that the number will exceed one thousand.
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