After the earthquake of magnitude 7.4 that was recorded in Colombia this Monday at 7:34, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed that he has taken direct charge of the emergency.
Through his official account on the social network X, the head of state reported that he ordered the installation of a Unified Command Post (PMU) in the affected area, with the aim of coordinating the institutional response, assessing the damages, and determining the number of affected individuals.
“I have taken direct leadership of the response to the emergency in San José del Palmar. I have ordered the installation of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the response to the damages and the affected,” expressed the president.
Abelardo de la Espriella
In this context, he also requested detailed information from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd), in order to have an accurate diagnosis of the situation in the territory and the most urgent needs arising from the seismic event.
“I have requested a detailed report on the situation and the most urgent needs from the director of the UNGRD,” he indicated.
As part of the planned actions, the president announced that he will travel to Pereira to support the affected individuals and supervise the national government's response to the emergency firsthand.
“I will also be personally in Pereira to support the affected and verify the government's response,” he noted.
The earthquake
In another communication, the president confirmed that he is heading to Bogotá to concentrate the coordination of the crisis and lead the decisions from the capital. There, he called for a new Unified Command Post at the Ungrd headquarters, from where actions will be coordinated to assist the impacted communities in Chocó, the Coffee Axis, and other regions.
“I have called for a Unified Command Post at the UNGRD, from where I will personally lead the actions to assist the communities in Chocó, the Coffee Axis, and all affected areas,” he affirmed.
The president also sent a message to the citizens, in which he sought to convey institutional support amid the emergency, assuring that the government will adopt all necessary measures to address the situation.
“To the Colombians who are going through difficult times today, I want to tell you: you are not alone. You have a president who cares for his people and who will do everything necessary to protect you, support you, and move forward together with the affected regions,” he asserted.
The earthquake
Additionally, through a video, he reiterated that he suspended his planned agenda in Bogotá to fully focus on the response to the natural disaster, and confirmed the holding of an urgent meeting with his work team.
“Compatriots, I am heading to Bogotá. I have ordered the suspension of the planned agenda in the capital to focus on the emergency caused by the natural disaster affecting the Colombian population. I have called for an urgent meeting, a unified command post, at the Ungrd offices in Bogotá. There, together with the team, determinations and actions will be adopted,” he stated.
Finally, the president reaffirmed that he will personally lead the coordination of measures to respond to the areas most affected by the earthquake.
“I will personally take charge of the coordination to bring solutions to the communities in Chocó, the Coffee Axis, and other affected regions. You are not alone. Colombia has a president committed to his people and willing to act in the most difficult moments. Firm for the homeland,” he concluded.
