Colombia denies rejecting quake help
Colombia’s new government has denied it rejected offers of earthquake assistance on ideological grounds, after only accepting rescue teams from right-wing-led nations.
The massive 7.4 quake has killed at least 239 people and posed an early test for the government of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on Aug. 7.
After it emerged that Colombia had only officially accepted rescue teams from Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States and Israel, the government tried to scotch accusations of political bias and putting lives at risk.
“We have been working around the clock to coordinate offers of humanitarian aid,” said Foreign Minister Omar Bula.
