Colombian President Abelardo de la Esprilla asked his American counterpart, Donald Trump, to temporarily suspend the high customs duties imposed on his country, with the aim of supporting recovery efforts from the devastating earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10. Reuters
The request came during a phone call that lasted about 10 minutes, in which de la Esprilla thanked the United States for its assistance in rescue and relief operations.
The Colombian president said that Trump expressed his condolences and solidarity with the affected families, stressing that the dialogue took place in a “very friendly atmosphere,” and that the alliance between the two countries is necessary for the reconstruction of Colombia.
The earthquake struck Colombia with a magnitude of 7.4, killing nearly 300 people and injuring thousands, amid continuing searches for missing persons and recovering victims from under the rubble.
