Colombian officials have faced mounting criticism after photos surfaced showing Housing Minister Jaime Beltrán relaxing at a beach in Santa Marta during a national emergency triggered by a powerful earthquake. The images, published by journalist Alejandro Villanueva, sparked outrage among politicians, activists, and citizens who argue that such behavior is inappropriate amid widespread devastation caused by the disaster. The earthquake, which struck on August 10 with a magnitude of 7.4, left thousands of Colombians homeless, with over 26,945 homes destroyed, 127,557 damaged, and 66 buildings collapsed. In response to this humanitarian crisis, Senator Jennifer Pedraza took to social media to condemn Beltrán’s apparent leisure activities, stating, “While the country faces a tragedy, the minister of housing is walking on a festive bridge in Santa Marta.” Her comments were echoed by other political figures, including Representative Alejandro Toro of the Historical Pact, who announced plans to file a motion of censure against Beltrán for his handling of the emergency. Criticism extended beyond the opposition. Right-wing columnists such as Santiago Vélez accused the government of hypocrisy, noting that a housing minister wearing swimwear six days after the quake was an image difficult to explain. Daniel Briceño, a representative aligned with the Center Democratic party, criticized cabinet members for being disconnected from the crisis, emphasizing the need for order, responsibility, and seriousness in the current situation. Despite these criticisms, some supporters of the government defended Beltrán’s actions. Businessman and politician Sergio Araújo, close to President Abelardo De La Espriella, stated he had witnessed the minister working long hours daily to address the crisis. He argued that taking time off to spend with family did not equate to going on vacation and reflected positively on Beltrán’s sense of responsibility. President De La Espriella himself has drawn scrutiny for his administration's response to the earthquake. His decision to reject international aid offers from certain countries has been met with mixed reactions. Among those defending the president was businessman Piter Albeiro, who expressed skepticism toward the demand for foreign assistance. He claimed many critics focused more on blaming others than on helping locally, arguing that Colombian cities like Bucaramanga, Cúcuta, Barranquilla, Medellín, Neiva, Ibagué, and Bogotá already had trained professionals capable of managing such emergencies. Albeiro emphasized that international aid comes with additional responsibilities, such as providing accommodation, food, transportation, and logistics. He contrasted the current situation with that of Venezuela, where the scale of the emergency was greater and compounded by existing challenges in various sectors of the country. He urged people to trust in Colombian capabilities, asserting that the nation has competent individuals ready to fulfill their roles effectively. As the debate continues, the focus remains on how the government will manage the aftermath of the earthquake and whether its decisions will be perceived as adequate by the affected population. Meanwhile, the Housing Minister has yet to publicly respond to the allegations against him, leaving room for further developments in the coming days.
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