Colombia’s New President Faces His First Major Test

Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, faces his first major challenge amid widespread devastation from a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake. The temblor struck on Monday near San José del Palmar, the western Chocó region, leaving at least 200 people dead and thousands more unaccounted for.

Search and rescue teams continue their operations, battling through damaged infrastructure and communication blackouts. Major cities like Cali, Quibdo, and Pereira sustained serious damage, and an estimated 5,000 homes were destroyed. As rescue workers comb through the rubble, the Colombian government grapples with the task of accounting for and aiding the millions of people affected.

De la Espriella, who took office last Friday, has already pledged to prioritize reconstruction and emergency response. His administration plans to leverage U.S. aid, including a $1 billion security assistance pledge and $15.5 million in emergency relief funds. The president also vowed that "Choco will never again be the 'land of the forgotten.'"

Meanwhile, in the Middle East, tensions simmer amidst ongoing violence. Yemen's Transport Ministry accused the Houthis of attacking a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing four crew members. The Iran-backed rebel group has not claimed responsibility but accused Saudi Arabia of aggression, including alleged strikes on Sanaa airport. Yemen's military reported retaliatory missile strikes and a drone attack in Shabwa province.

Elsewhere, Russia's Supreme Court barred the only antiwar party, Yabloko, from participating in upcoming parliamentary elections. The court cited copyright infringement, campaign spending violations, and alleged pro-West stance on the war. Yabloko, known for its anti-invasion of Ukraine stance, could have served as a powerful protest vote for war-weary Russians.