Colombia denies rejecting quake help on ideological grounds

Bogota, Colombia - President Abelardo de la Espriella's new hard-right government has firmly rejected allegations that they rejected earthquake assistance on ideological grounds following a 7.4-magnitude quake that has resulted in over 239 deaths. Despite accepting rescue teams from only Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, and Israel, the government vehemently denies any political bias in their decision-making.

Foreign Minister Omar Bula maintains that Colombia is actively coordinating humanitarian aid and has facilitated significant donations from various nations. He specifically highlighted the 100-tonne offer from El Salvador and the 58.5-tonne from Mexico, stating that they have not excluded any country from providing assistance.

However, the Mexican rescue brigade known as Los Topos encountered obstacles in their efforts to aid Colombia. David Tamayo, head of Colombia's disaster relief agency, clarified that they only accept teams recognized by international systems and their own governments as qualified. These specialized teams are fully equipped and self-sufficient, eliminating the need for additional resources from local authorities.

Hector Mendez, a senior Rescate Topo and president of Topos Azteca, expressed frustration over the situation, appealing to authorities to allow his team to assist in the rescue operations. He pleaded with authorities not to politicize the situation, emphasizing the importance of working together to recover the trapped individuals.