A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, prompting a swift response from the government. In contrast, Venezuela’s response to a similar disaster was slower and less effective.

Government Response

Colombia’s newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an emergency command post to oversee rescue efforts barely an hour after the earthquake struck. In Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodríguez waited nearly four hours before addressing the nation.

Colombia has so far declined foreign rescue crews, except for those from the United States, saying it has enough personnel and has requested humanitarian supplies instead. Venezuela, on the other hand, relied on rescuers from around the world to fill critical gaps in the state’s response.

Comparison of Responses

The contrast between the two countries’ responses highlights the differences in their political systems, resources, and institutional strength. Colombia’s democratic system and stronger institutions enabled a more effective response, while Venezuela’s authoritarian regime struggled to respond to the disaster.

Humanitarian workers praised Colombia’s response, saying it transcended political tensions and reflected the resilience of the country’s democracy. The United Nations’ top official in Colombia, María José Torres Macho, noted that all institutions worked together to respond to the disaster.

In Venezuela, the government’s response was hindered by a lack of resources and a distrust of the official response among citizens. The country’s economic crisis and mass migration have hollowed out its ability to respond to disasters.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.