Colombian housing minister's Caribbean holiday during earthquake crisis sparks no-confidence motion

Jaime Andres Beltran, Colombia's newly appointed housing minister, encountered significant criticism after it came to light that he vacationed in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta while the nation was grappling with the consequences of a catastrophic earthquake. This 7.4-magnitude quake occurred on August 10, merely three days following the inauguration of right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, resulting in nearly 300 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 27,000 homes in western Colombia. It marked the strongest earthquake in the country in nearly 50 years. Over the weekend, images of Beltran enjoying the beach emerged, leading the left-wing opposition to propose a no-confidence motion against him. Meanwhile, many quake survivors are left sleeping outdoors on makeshift beds, emphasizing the critical housing crisis and the political challenges facing the new government.