Abelardo De La Espriella announces measures to speed Cali earthquake reconstruction

President Abelardo De La Espriella announced measures to accelerate reconstruction in Cali and the Valle del Cauca department after the earthquake of Aug. 10.

The measures focus on damaged homes, productive activity and the emotional well-being of affected families. De La Espriella announced them during a working session with residents of Cuarto de Legua, alongside the national government, Cali’s city administration and the Valle del Cauca government.

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This pilot is a wonderful proposal from Cali’s mayor’s office, and we want to help it move forward as it should, with the speed that is required.

In a post on X, the president said his administration would support a public-private reconstruction pilot led by Cali’s mayor’s office. In a video, he said the initiative should move forward without administrative procedures or institutional differences delaying solutions.

“This pilot is a wonderful proposal from Cali’s mayor’s office, and we want to help it move forward as it should, with the speed that is required,” he said.

He also urged officials to focus on the emergency rather than disputes. “In an emergency of this magnitude, dear compatriots, we cannot waste time on institutional disputes or discussions that lead nowhere. We have to get to work, and that is what we have done from the very beginning,” he said.

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In an emergency of this magnitude, dear compatriots, we cannot waste time on institutional disputes or discussions that lead nowhere. We have to get to work, and that is what we have done from the very beginning.

The Housing Ministry is preparing regulations that would allow greater urban density in affected areas and create compensation mechanisms for middle- and high-income property owners who lost part of their assets. De La Espriella said household income categories do not necessarily mean families can absorb a major loss without help.

“Having a home in these income categories does not mean having the financial capacity to deal overnight with a loss of such magnitude. Therefore, the government will be there, showing solidarity and helping you as appropriate,” he said. The proposal would use the increased building potential of affected plots, while authorities also identified 864 built homes and 24 SAE properties that could be made available to families.

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Having a home in these income categories does not mean having the financial capacity to deal overnight with a loss of such magnitude. Therefore, the government will be there, showing solidarity and helping you as appropriate.