Colombia president vows reconstruction fund as search for quake survivors enters critical period

World Around 3,770 people were injured and more than 9,550 homes were destroyed in the quake. Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella delivers a statement on recovery efforts following Monday's earthquake, which struck several major cities in western Colombia, at San Carlos Palace in Bogota, Colombia on Aug 12, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Jose Vargas) 13 Aug 2026 08:43AM (Updated: 13 Aug 2026 08:51AM) CALI: Colombia's President Abelardo De La Espriella on Wednesday (Aug 12) vowed to set up an emergency fund to help rebuild hospitals, schools, homes and infrastructure destroyed by Monday's earthquake, which killed 265 and left nearly 500 people unaccounted for."This is undoubtedly a tragedy of immense proportions," De La Espriella, who was inaugurated three days before the 7.4 magnitude qua