Colombia’s new Minister of Housing Policy faced intense criticism yesterday (August 17) after being photographed on a Caribbean beach with his family, just a few days after the worst earthquake of this century struck the country last Monday, forcing thousands of residents—who were left homeless— to sleep in tents or makeshift shelters.

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of nearly 300 people when it struck western Colombia on August 10, just three days after the government led by the so-called hard-right President Abelardo de la Espriegia took office.

Over the weekend, photos and videos of Housing Minister Jaime Andrés Beltrán, relaxing on a beach in the city of Santa Marta.

If this is how he handles an earthquake that happens every 20 years, I can’t even imagine the day-to-day life of Housing Minister Jaime Andrés Beltrán. pic.twitter.com/shvqbpQJPF

— Juliana Vásquez (@julianavasquez) August 18, 2026

The left-wing opposition emphasized that it is preparing to file a motion of no confidence against the minister, who decided to take a “vacation” at such a critical moment in the crisis that directly affects his portfolio, accusing him of negligence, if not dereliction of duty, while thousands of families are in need of assistance.

Nearly 27,000 homes were destroyed, either partially or completely, as a result of the earthquake.

“I didn’t go on vacation”

Yesterday, Minister Beltrán tried to brush off the criticism he’s been receiving. “I didn’t go on vacation; I wanted to spend a few hours with my wife and children— I hadn’t seen them in days,” and then “I returned immediately” to work, he assured via X.

Building homes is just as important as sustaining families—through love, example, and respect. I

am the Minister of Housing, but I am also a present, committed father who is attuned to what is happening in our country.

I share and understand the concern… pic.twitter.com/8AAl9V8KlP

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— Jaime Andrés Beltrán (@soyjaimeandres) August 17, 2026

Hopes for survivors in the rubble are dwindling

A week after the disaster, the chances of finding survivors in the rubble have dwindled to almost zero.

However, the need for humanitarian aid is growing ever greater and more urgent. Parks and streets in Cali, Pereira, and other areas hit by the earthquake have turned into homeless encampments in the wake of the disaster.

President de la Espriega, a political newcomer who took office on August 7, made a series of lightning-fast visits last week to areas affected by the earthquake and promised subsidies to those affected to help them purchase new homes.

Yesterday, he estimated that the damage caused by the earthquake would reach 30 trillion pesos (nearly 10 billion euros), a figure he described as “preliminary.”

He has asked his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, to temporarily suspend tariffs on products exported from Colombia to the U.S. in order to boost the economy.

On Sunday, he visited Chocó, the country’s poorest department, which was the epicenter of the earthquake.

But the head of state, 48 years old, was also criticized for throwing soccer balls bearing his campaign slogan (“"With strength for the homeland"), while residents were lacking everything.

Source: Proto Thema