OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
2:26 PM – Sunday, August 16, 2026
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, an ally of President Donald Trump, has asked the U.S. to suspend tariffs as his nation recovers from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed at least 289 people.
“I just spoke for ten minutes with President Donald Trump. I deeply thanked him for all the economic aid and the support of the United States rescue teams in the face of the tragedy we are experiencing,” De la Espriella wrote in Spanish on X Saturday night. “President Trump also expressed his condolences for the victims of the earthquake and his solidarity with the affected Colombian families.”
The U.S. Department of State deployed specialized urban search and rescue (USAR) support teams to Colombia over the weekend. The State Department also mobilized $26.5 million in total humanitarian food, health protection and shelter assistance funds and leveraged support from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to transport supplies.
“I told him that we have a huge challenge ahead: rebuilding Colombia amid the extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation that I inherited,” De La Espriella said. “I also asked him to consider the temporary suspension of the high tariffs that affect Colombian products, in order to provide relief to our businesspeople, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake.”
“The conversation was very friendly and cordial. President Trump was supremely warm and expressed his affection for Colombia and his fondness for our people. I reiterated my deep gratitude for the solidarity and support of the United States toward Colombia. Today, more than ever, the alliance between Colombia and the United States is an imperative for the reconstruction of our beloved nation,” he concluded, leaning on his friendly relationship with President Trump.
The earthquake struck cities in western Colombia including Pereira, Cali and Quibdo, as well as cities along the Pacific coast. Its epicenter was in one of the poorest areas in the country, Choco.
Colombia’s government said that 143 people were missing, while other independent databases report thousands missing. More than 70 people were reported lost in Cali alone, the country’s third-largest city.
The quake destroyed 14,705 homes, damaged 81,536 others, and left 3,937 people injured, according to the government.
“Miracles do happen” Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder said of ongoing rescue efforts, despite the amount of time that has passed. “We are working where we know there are still victims; we are working in the hope of rescuing people alive.”
President Trump endorsed De La Espriella heading into his head-to-head presidential runoff election in June. He won against Iván Cepeda Castro by a margin of less than 1%.
“Congratulations to ‘El Tigre’ (THE TIGER!) Abelardo de la Espriella, the new President of Colombia! It was my Great Honor to endorse him, and I look forward to working together to build a powerful relationship between Colombia and the United States of America, which will bring new levels of Greatness for both of our Countries!” Trump posted to Truth Social after the presidential election.
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