Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has appealed to US President Donald Trump to temporarily lift the high tariffs imposed on Colombian goods following a devastating earthquake that has caused significant loss of life and economic damage.
During a 10-minute phone conversation with Trump on Saturday, De la Espriella expressed his appreciation for US assistance with rescue and relief efforts after the disaster. Trump also offered condolences to the families who lost loved ones and expressed solidarity with those affected by the earthquake.
The Colombian president said his country was facing a major challenge in rebuilding after the disaster. He also highlighted the difficult economic circumstances he inherited and emphasized the importance of international assistance during the recovery process.
De la Espriella described the conversation with Trump as friendly and positive, saying the US president showed warmth toward Colombia and sympathy for its people. He reaffirmed his gratitude for Washington’s support and stressed that close cooperation between Colombia and the US was particularly important for rebuilding the country.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10 and has so far claimed 294 lives, according to the latest figures.
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