Mexico Says Colombia Rejected Its Certified Earthquake Rescue Brigade

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Colombia rejected a Mexican military search-and-rescue brigade despite it holding international certification and having deployed to 98 countries, contradicting Colombian officials' explanation that the team lacked sufficient INSARAG certification. Colombia's Foreign Minister Omar Bula denied any political motivation, saying no country's offer had been excluded, while Colombia's Disaster Management Director reiterated the INSARAG requirement. The dispute — coming after the critical 72-hour survival window had passed — fueled accusations that President de la Espriella's government was screening out rescue offers from left-leaning Latin American governments; Colombia had accepted rescue teams only from the United States, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel.