Colombia Requests U.S. Tariff Relief After Deadly Earthquake

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 17, 2026, killing at least 289 people and injuring 3,937. The disaster centered in the Chocó department and devastated the cities of Cali, Pereira, and Quibdó. Government data indicates over 14,000 homes were destroyed and 81,536 damaged, though civilian databases report higher numbers of missing persons than the official count of 143.

Abelardo de la Espriella, who recently took office with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, declared the earthquake a national disaster. He requested that the Trump administration temporarily suspend high tariffs on Colombian products to provide relief to businesspeople facing difficult economic times. While the U.S. government has not yet responded to the tariff request, the United States Department of State committed $26.5 million in aid for food, health supplies, and shelter.

International support continued as the Government of China dispatched a chartered flight from Beijing to Bogota on August 18, carrying power generators, water purification vehicles, and emergency shelter equipment. In Cali, Mayor Alejandro Eder continues to oversee search and rescue operations for more than 70 missing persons, despite the passing of the critical 72-hour survival window.