The far-right government of Abelardo de la Espriella limited the entry of foreign search and rescue teams into Colombia to just four countries: the United States, Israel, Ecuador and El Salvador. The restriction was announced on Wednesday (12) by the new director of the National Risk and Disaster Management Unit, David Tamayo, and left out the offer of support made by Brazil a few days earlier.
The four countries authorized to send rescuers are ideologically aligned with the new De la Espriella government, which began on the 7th. The new Colombian chancellor, Omar Bula, denied having used political criteria for the choice, saying that the administration works with different countries “without any ideological or political considerations”. According to him, only internationally certified and self-employed rescuers, capable of reinforcing local teams, will be able to enter Colombia.
On Monday (10), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) even offered support to Colombia. The Brazilian president said he received the news of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which has already left 265 people dead and around 3,500 injured, with concern. Itamaraty reinforced the gesture of the note, but Brazil was ignored.
Meanwhile, the Colombian government has been strengthening military ties with Washington. From Panama, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the authorization for “joint military operations” against what he classified as narcoterrorism.
Thus, Colombia will join the Coalition of the Americas against Cartels (A3C), which serves as the operational arm of the Shield of the Americas. The joint was launched by President Donald Trump in March. According to the US State Department, Washington should allocate around US$1 billion in security assistance to Colombia.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
