US Secretary of State Discusses Search and Rescue Efforts Following Devastating Earthquake with Colombian President

Washington, Aug 18 (KUNA) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone conversation on Tuesday with Colombian President Abigail de la Esperilla to discuss search and rescue efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck Colombia on the 10th of this month. In a press statement, State Department spokesperson Tommy Biggot said that Secretary Rubio discussed the ongoing U.S. support for the Colombian people in the wake of the destructive quake. Biggot noted that the United States swiftly provided $26.5 million in emergency financial and humanitarian aid. He clarified that the two sides discussed U.S. assistance, which included the deployment of search and rescue teams and the operation of C-130 aircraft flights to aid recovery efforts in Colombia in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. It is recalled that a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, affecting the South American nation and its neighbor Ecuador, prompting residents to evacuate homes and buildings. Colombian President Abigail de la Esperilla announced on Monday that initial estimates indicate economic losses from the earthquake reached approximately $9.6 billion, and that it resulted in at least 265 deaths and hundreds of injuries. (End) A.M.M. / M.A.H.A.