Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked US President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs imposed on Colombian goods as the country struggles with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has killed at least 294 people.
De la Espriella made the request during a 10-minute telephone conversation with Trump on Saturday, while also thanking Washington for its assistance with rescue and relief operations.
The Colombian president said Trump offered his condolences to the families of those killed and expressed solidarity with communities affected by the disaster.
De la Espriella told the US president that Colombia faced an enormous reconstruction challenge, particularly given what he described as the difficult economic circumstances inherited by his government.
Despite those difficulties, he pledged that the country would rebuild.
Writing on X after the call, De la Espriella described the conversation as “extremely friendly and cordial”, saying Trump had expressed affection for Colombia and sympathy for its people.
He also emphasised the importance of relations between Bogota and Washington, describing the US-Colombia alliance as vital to the country’s reconstruction efforts.
The Colombian president thanked the United States for its economic and humanitarian support following the disaster.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, causing widespread destruction. The confirmed death toll has since climbed to 294, while rescue and recovery operations remain underway.