After earthquake, Colombia only accepted rescuers from countries governed by the right

The four countries have leaders ideologically aligned with the Colombian ultra-rightist, although Bogotá denies that the choice was made due to political bias. The decision was announced more than two days after the earthquake, as operations approach the end of the 72-hour "critical window" - a period considered the most important for rescuing survivors alive under the rubble.

The decision also comes after the Colombian government was criticized for the delay in accepting international teams. When explaining the decision to only accept help from the four countries in the search, the director of the National Risk and Disaster Management Unit (UNGRD), David Tamayo, stated that rescuers comply with "international protocols" and must work alongside Colombian teams.

In the same conversation with journalists, the Colombian Chancellor, Omar Bula, stated that the government only considered the technical capacity and international certification of the teams. "We absolutely do not exclude any country. In relation to the offers made to us, we work with countries without any ideological or political considerations", stated the minister.

According to Tamayo, groups were chosen that were "totally autonomous, [which] will not require additional resources from municipal administrations." Brazilian authorities interviewed in reserve by the report say that, whenever Brazil sends rescuers to other countries, the teams are autonomous and do not require support from local governments, which often do not have the capacity to do so immediately after a natural disaster.

The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, also stated this Thursday (13) that Mexico City was unable to send its military rescue brigades due to bureaucratic obstacles imposed by Bogotá. According to her, Colombia requested additional certification to authorize the teams' entry.

"[The Espriella government] asked for certification. [Mexican rescuers] are certified, but now they are asking for another certification," Sheinbaum said. Given this, Mexico decided to send supplies and medicines. Mexican teams have extensive experience and worked, for example, in rescue operations after the earthquakes that hit Venezuela in July. Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Spain are also among the countries that have made teams available to the Colombian government.

The delay in defining international aid occurred amid a disorganized response from the new government. Countries from different political spectrums offered teams and resources, but Bogotá was slow to establish how these offers would be coordinated. The situation even provoked public demands, such as that of the Chinese ambassador, Zhu Jingyang, who asked the Colombian government to appoint someone responsible to centralize international assistance.

Espriella was sworn in as head of the Executive on Friday (7). He is one of the new names in the right-wing wave in Latin America who came to power in part thanks to the support of US President Donald Trump. This is the first time that Espriella, who built her public image around her financial success, will hold public office.

During the campaign, the lawyer adopted the team's shirt as a symbol to compose his nationalist speech and promised a hard line on public security. In the field of diplomacy, Espriella announced that Colombia will once again maintain full diplomatic relations with Israel after they were severed under the administration of his predecessor, the leftist Gustavo Petro.

The administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is preparing to send humanitarian aid to Colombia after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, spoke by telephone with the Colombian Chancellor on Wednesday (12).

According to members of Itamaraty interviewed by the report that followed the negotiations, the sending of inputs is defined according to the needs presented by the Colombian government. For now, it has been agreed that Brazil will supply medicines, water purifiers and food, especially dehydrated products and rice.

According to Itamaraty, Colombia did not ask Brazil to send search and rescue teams, despite the Brazilian government having offered this type of help in its diplomatic demonstrations after the tragedy. Brasília's assistance, therefore, is being structured as humanitarian aid.

The Brazilian government's intention is for aid to be sent as quickly as possible. It is not yet defined whether the products will be transported on a Brazilian Air Force flight or on a commercial plane.

The earthquake that hit Colombia killed at least 273 people, according to the most up-to-date bulletin released by authorities this Thursday. Another 377 are missing. Search operations continue in cities such as Cali, one of the largest in the country, and Pereira, located in the coffee growing area, amid the risk of new collapses.

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