Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella asked US President Donald Trump to consider temporarily suspending tariffs on Colombian goods, which were raised to 12.5% on July 24, as the country deals with the aftermath of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 300 people and destroyed about 13,000 homes in the cities of Cali and Pereira. The tariff increase replaced an earlier global duty and applies to most Colombian exports except coffee and oil. De la Espriella, who succeeded leftist President Gustavo Petro, said the suspension would provide relief to business owners facing economic hardship. He is a member of the "Shield of the Americas," an anti‑cartel alliance led by Trump that includes Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador, and he plans to pursue a military partnership with the United States and Israel to strengthen his government’s campaign against guerrilla groups. The earthquake has prompted rescue operations that are entering a final phase, with authorities reporting almost 300 fatalities and extensive property damage.