Colombian Housing Minister Criticized for Beach Visit Amidst Earthquake Aftermath

Colombia's housing minister, Jaime Andres Beltran, is under intense scrutiny after images surfaced showing him relaxing on a beach in Santa Marta, a Caribbean resort town. The timing of his apparent leisure is particularly sensitive, as thousands of Colombians remain displaced and homeless following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the country's west on August 10.

The earthquake devastated the region, claiming nearly 300 lives and destroying approximately 27,000 homes. Amidst this widespread devastation, photos and videos of Beltran with his family on the beach circulated over the weekend, sparking outrage. Opposition parties have announced plans to file a motion of no confidence against the minister.

Beltran has defended his actions, asserting that he was not on vacation. He claims he merely spent a few hours with his wife and children, whom he had not seen for days, before returning to his duties. Meanwhile, many residents in the affected areas are still living under the open sky or in temporary shelters.

The criticism has extended to President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days before the earthquake. On Sunday, he distributed footballs bearing his campaign slogan to people near the earthquake's epicenter. Critics accuse the president of using the disaster for political marketing, while his supporters maintain he simply aimed to bring cheer to those in the affected zones.

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I only spent a few hours with my wife and children, whom I had not seen for days, before returning to work.