Crime and violence also take advantage of the earthquake's chaos

Canceller Says No Country Has Been Excluded From Foreign Aid Efforts From the Palace of San Carlos, Foreign Minister Omar Bula held a press conference to clarify the growing controversy over the government’s reluctance to accept foreign rescue teams following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that affected eleven departments. Minutes before the press conference, the new head of the National Risk Management Unit (Ungrd) confirmed that rescue teams will arrive from Israel, Ecuador, and El Salvador. These teams will join the 22 U.S. rescuers and 23 Colombian groups already deployed. “The offers we have received are being considered without any ideological or political consideration, and we accept and thank this aid sincerely,” said the Foreign Minister, responding to offers from Mexico, El Salvador, the European Union, and China. “We have not excluded absolutely any country.” The initial assistance came through the United Nations Development Programme (Pnud) with the Edip program, which focuses on post-conflict digital evaluations. The first 72 hours after a disaster are crucial for finding survivors, and that window closes today. Rescue teams from Ecuador, El Salvador, and Israel will join the effort. All have certification under the UN’s Insarag protocol. Additionally, 22 experts from the United States, based in Fairfax, Virginia, and Los Angeles, California, a region known for the San Andreas Fault, will assist. Colombia has deployed 23 search-and-rescue units across several capitals, including the USAR COL1 team from Ungrd, which holds international certification at the intermediate level. David Tamayo, an engineer, geologist, and incoming head of Ungrd, reiterated that all rescue teams are “completely autonomous” and “will not require additional resources.” They handle their tools, food, lodging, and logistics independently. Other Mexican volunteers, known as the Topos Aztecas, arrived overnight in Cali. They differ from the official Mexican rescue teams based in Tlaltelolco and were traveling from Venezuela. They had been assisting in Venezuela after recent earthquakes in June. Colombia’s 23 Usar (Urban Search and Rescue) teams, along with the U.S. and Mexican rescuers, operate within the National Disaster Risk Management System. This system includes the Colombian Red Cross, Civil Defense, fire departments, the National Army, Air Force, and Police. This system follows specific UN protocols managed by OCHA, the agency responsible for humanitarian response. Experts emphasize that governments need to understand how to manage emergencies quickly. “What is needed is that the government understands rapidly how these emergencies are handled,” said Juan Carlos Orrego, former deputy director of Ungrd and an international expert in disaster response. “I am concerned that many governments think this can be managed with obviousness, when managing a disaster involves much technique.” Meanwhile, some Mexican rescue teams faced restrictions. The Mexican Topos Tlatelolco announced via a statement that Colombian authorities had not allowed external rescue teams to enter directly into operations. Initially, they planned to accept help only from the U.S., Ecuador, and Chile. After being informed that national teams would handle initial tasks, they paused their deployment. However, members of the Topos Azteca group managed to travel from Venezuela to Colombia and arrived in Cali. Volunteers continue working tirelessly in Colombia, searching for signs of life among the rubble. As the third day since the earthquake passes, the critical 72-hour window for saving lives is closing. Volunteers work with cranes, dogs, and heavy machinery, forming human chains to remove debris manually. Pablo César Ruiz, a volunteer in Cali, expressed concern over time slipping away. “With our hands and gloves, we work on this… It is sad to see the time passing to find people still alive,” he said. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico announced that her country sent food, water, and medicine to Colombia after the earthquake killed more than 200 people. Two military planes carrying 19.5 tons of humanitarian aid departed from Mexico City, bound for Pereira, the city most affected by the quake. She also mentioned that elements of the Mexican military would support efforts in all areas. In addition to the immediate crisis, the earthquake has created conditions that could lead to increased crime and violence. According to studies on criminality during disasters, changes in daily routines during emergencies can lead to two types of criminal activity: situational or opportunistic crimes, and instrumental crimes. During the emergency, police and other agencies focus on humanitarian aid, reducing security presence and creating opportunities for criminal groups. These conditions create a window for criminal opportunity, especially when the emergency coincides with a complex security situation. In recent months, Colombia has experienced attacks on critical infrastructure, assaults on members of the public forces, selective killings, and other acts of violence linked to armed groups. Therefore, alongside the humanitarian response, it is necessary to anticipate potential security risks. Criminologically, these risks can be grouped into four phenomena with different motivations, opportunities, and actors, requiring differentiated responses. These include survival crimes, opportunistic instrumental crimes, cybercrime, and corruption involving aid diversion.