Colombia estimates quake damage at $9.6 billion

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastated western Colombia, causing an estimated $9.57 billion in economic losses, President Abelardo de la Espriella announced Tuesday. The tremor, the strongest in the country in nearly half a century, struck on August 10.

The disaster claimed 289 lives, injured 4,187 people, and left 143 missing. Nearly 27,000 homes were destroyed, forcing many residents to sleep outdoors. Dozens of hospitals and schools also collapsed or sustained damage.

This crisis marks a challenging start for De la Espriella, a political newcomer and right-wing lawyer who took office just three days before the earthquake. He has tasked his housing minister with initiating a reconstruction plan, seeking private sector support.

In a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, De la Espriella requested a temporary suspension of tariffs on Colombian goods. Tariffs on imports rose from 10 percent to 12.5 percent in late July, excluding major exports like oil and coffee.

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Imagine the scale of the disaster.