Colombian president asks Trump to suspend tariffs to help earthquake recovery

Colombia's newly appointed President Abelardo de la Espriella has reached out to his American counterpart, Donald Trump, seeking a suspension of tariffs to aid in the nation's recovery from a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that claimed over 289 lives. De la Espriella, who assumed office just days prior to the disaster, had the backing of Trump during Colombia's tightly contested presidential election in June.

The Colombian leader has been vocal about leveraging his ties with the U.S. leader to assist his country. He recently informed Trump on social media that he had thanked him for the aid provided by the U.S. in response to the earthquake and expressed the need to suspend high tariffs on Colombian products to support businesses grappling with the aftermath of the earthquake.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Trump administration to de la Espriella's plea. The U.S. has pledged a combined $26.5 million in assistance for the earthquake victims, comprising essential items such as food, temporary housing, and medical supplies. The earthquake struck early Monday, causing widespread destruction in western Colombia, particularly in major cities like Pereira, Cali, and Quibdo.

The government has reported 143 fatalities, although civilian organizations estimate the toll to be much higher, possibly reaching thousands. The president has declared the crisis a natural disaster, further emphasizing the urgent need for international support.