The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, reported this Wednesday the sending of more than 19 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia after the earthquake of magnitude 7.4 registered on Monday in the northwest of the country, and advanced that in the coming days another 58 tons with water and medicines will be sent.
"At 7:11 and 7:40 hours this Wednesday, two aircraft of the Mexican Air Force took off from AIFA heading to Pereira, Colombia, with 854 food packages that represent 19.5 tons of humanitarian aid and obviously also elements of the Mexican Army to support all the work," she pointed out at a press conference after a "specific" request from the Colombian authorities.
The president emphasized that this support also includes the deployment of troops from the "Mexican Army to support all the work," although she did not detail how many soldiers will be deployed to Colombian territory.
On the other hand, Sheinbaum pointed out that from this Wednesday until Friday her Executive will send "2,562 food packages that represent 58.5 tons of humanitarian aid, water, and medicines."
For its part, the Embassy of Colombia in Mexico has conveyed its "deep gratitude" to the Mexican Government and "in a very special way" to Sheinbaum, particularly for "the humanitarian assistance flight that will arrive today at Matecaña International Airport," in Pereira, one of the locations most affected by the earthquake.
At least 202 people have lost their lives as a result of the earthquake, although it is expected that the number will increase as rescue teams continue their efforts to find possible victims among the rubble.