{
  "id": 766706,
  "title": "Colombia declares economic emergency to rebuild after earthquake",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/colombia-declares-economic-emergency-to-rebuild-after-earthquake",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T12:48:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia Reports",
    "slug": "colombia-reports",
    "url": "https://colombiareports.com/colombia-declares-economic-emergency-to-rebuild-after-earthquake/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared an economic emergency after a devastating earthquake struck western parts of the country on Monday. The government aims to create a reconstruction fund to rebuild homes and small businesses damaged by the disaster.\n\nFinance Minister Miguel Gomez stated that the government is currently not considering raising taxes to fund the reconstruction. Instead, they plan to prioritize relief for approximately 24,000 families whose homes or businesses were destroyed. This relief package includes the payment of public services, housing rent subsidies, tax and financial relief measures, economic support for vulnerable families, and assistance for merchants and small businesses affected by the earthquake.\n\nTo channel national and international contributions, President Espriella has announced the creation of a \"Miracle Fund.\" This entity will direct funds towards the reconstruction of hospitals, educational centers, properties, roads, and airports damaged by the earthquake.\n\nAs part of the emergency decree, the president is granted three months to issue decrees related to the situation without Congressional approval. The legal validity of these decrees will be tested by the Constitutional Court. At the time of publication, the President's Office had not yet issued the first decree.",
  "summary": "Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella said he would declare an economic emergency and create a reconstruction fund for homes and small businesses that were destroyed in Monday’s earthquake. In a press statement, De la Espriella said that the government would initially support victims with temporary relief and will declare an economic emergency to find […] The post Colombia declares…",
  "key_points": [
    "Colombian President declares economic emergency following Monday's earthquake.",
    "Government plans to create a reconstruction fund for damaged homes and businesses.",
    "Miracle Fund will direct national and international contributions to reconstruction efforts."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The economic emergency declaration clears the way for Colombia's government to swiftly channel funds and relief to affected areas without needing Congressional approval for at least three months.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}