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Bogotá: Colombia’s government has denied accusations that political bias guided its emergency response, rejecting claims that ideological decisions put lives at risk.
Following a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed at least 239 people, officials faced sharp backlash after accepting foreign rescue teams primarily from right-wing allies, including the United States, Israel, Ecuador, and El Salvador.
Foreign Minister Omar Bula dismissed claims of exclusion, maintaining that no country was turned away.
Disaster agency officials insisted selection was based strictly on technical qualifications, requiring international certification and self-sufficiency so local resources would not be overwhelmed.
However, controversy has grown as 60 experienced Mexican volunteer rescuers, known as "Topos," arrived in the country but were barred by authorities from conducting search operations.
Urging officials to permit their help, Topos leader Hector Mendez begged authorities to set politics aside, warning that politicizing disaster relief puts recovery efforts on the wrong track.
Photo Credits: AFP
