Colombia's New Austerity President Confronts Reconstruction Crisis Three Days In

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia has killed 265 people and destroyed over 9,550 homes. President de La Espriella, inaugurated three days prior, campaigned on cutting public spending — including defunding the state risk management unit now leading the emergency response. He declared an economic emergency without specifying measures. ACLED analyst Tiziano Breda called the quake his first test.