As the third day since the strong earthquake in Colombia arrived and the 72 hours considered the "golden time" for rescuing survivors passed, the search has been dragging on. The death toll has risen to at least 273, and rescue efforts are facing difficulties, with teams arriving late to some isolated areas.
On the 13th (local time), according to AP, AFP, and Reuters, Colombian authorities said at least 273 people were killed, about 3,800 were injured, and 377 were missing in the quake. However, a missing-person databases run by civilians counted more than 4,200 missing.
Damage was concentrated in the western coffee-growing regions of Cali and Pereira. In these areas, 12,600 dwellings, including apartment complexes, collapsed and 74,800 were damaged.
Aftershocks are continuing. More than 150 aftershocks have followed the main quake, and a 4.2-magnitude aftershock struck that day, heightening concerns about additional damage.
Although 72 hours have passed since the earthquake, when the chances of survival are believed to drop sharply, rescue teams are continuing their search. In some sites, however, debris removal has begun alongside the search for survivors.
Rescue work is proceeding even more slowly in outlying areas. In some isolated places, including the port city of Buenaventura northwest of Cali, rescue teams did not arrive until the night of the 12th. Until then, residents had to dig through the rubble with their bare hands to find survivors.
Some areas are inaccessible to rescuers because of armed groups. An International Rescue Committee (IRC) official said there were cases in which some armed groups seized donated goods such as food, claiming they would handle the distribution of relief supplies.
Meanwhile, controversy is growing as the Colombian government declines rescue deployments from some countries. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized Colombia for not allowing the entry of a Mexican rescue team, saying, "Colombia demanded certification, and when we submitted it, now they are demanding new certification."
Colombia did not allow rescue operations by the civilian team "Topos," formed after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, and reportedly has not yet approved China's offer of assistance. The Colombian government said it would accept only four countries' relief teams—those of the United States, Israel, El Salvador, and Ecuador—that meet requirements such as international regulations and securing their own equipment.
Criticism has arisen that political judgment may have been involved in disaster relief. Jimena Sánchez, Andes regional director at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), said, "Aid must never be politicized," and noted that even if the government cannot provide sufficient support, affected residents must be able to receive the help they need.
Political scientist Sandra Borda also told CNN, "The new government is showing deep distrust toward parts of the international community," adding, "It is difficult to understand."
The Colombian government denied claims that it is rejecting support from certain countries for political reasons. Foreign Minister Omar Bula said, "We are not excluding any country's support," and added, "We are cooperating with all countries without ideological or political considerations."