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President Abelardo de la Espriella faces criticism for distributing branded soccer balls during Colombia's earthquake recovery

President Abelardo de la Espriella has faced mounting criticism for his management of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that left nearly 300 dead and 143 missing. While the president has been active on the ground, his decision to distribute soccer balls featuring the logo of his political party, Defensores de la Patria, has sparked public indignation. Critics argue that the president prioritized political propaganda over essential supplies like medicine, food, and reconstruction teams for the 200,000 affected people. Furthermore, the administration's handling of international aid has been questioned, as the president accepted help primarily from ultra-right leaders, such as Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. Some citizens have also criticized the minister of housing, Jaime Beltrán, for taking a short vacation to the beach while thousands of homes were destroyed. Despite these complaints, the administration announced that the minister would lead a "miracle plan" for reconstruction, and President Abelardo de la Espriella maintained that the victims are not abandoned.

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