Petro Government Declined Foreign Rescue Teams as Earthquake Death Toll Hits 285

Amidst the aftermath of Monday's 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Central and Southwest Colombia, it has been revealed that President Gustavo Petro's leftist government initially declined international search-and-rescue teams. According to a letter from Javier Pava, ex-head of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), sent to the Foreign Ministry on August 11, Pava stated that due to the assessment and available resources, Colombia did not need international specialized aid.

The latest UNGRD report confirmed 285 deaths, with 3,975 injured and 379 still missing. As of now, 354 people have been rescued. The decision to reject international aid would be reviewed, and if the disaster's scale exceeded Colombia's capacity, the government would request specific international assistance. Former UNGRD leader Pava stepped down on August 12, the same day David Santiago Tamayo took over.

Once in office, Tamayo announced that Colombia would accept international rescue assistance under U.N. protocols. The controversy has been heightened by ongoing rescue operations in some of the worst-hit cities, despite images of collapsed buildings and local rescuers. Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara defended the initial decision as a technical assessment rather than a political one, fearing additional logistical challenges.

The government has rejected allegations of political influence in their decision-making. The earthquake has affected 15 departments and 426 municipalities, with 45,523 families and 102,263 people impacted. Over 73,455 homes have been damaged, and 12,828 homes destroyed. Rescue efforts continue, but authorities warn of ongoing aftershocks in Chocó and neighboring regions.