Mexico claims Colombia turned away its earthquake rescue team

Bogotá – Colombian authorities rejected allegations that political considerations influenced their decision to deny entry to a team of Mexican military rescuers who had been dispatched to assist in a recent humanitarian operation. Mexico’s Ministry of Defense announced that the contingent, sent to support rescue efforts following severe flooding in the northern department of La Guajira, was turned away at the border on Tuesday, prompting diplomatic inquiries from Mexico’s embassy in Bogotá.

In response, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that the refusal was based solely on procedural and security protocols, not on any political motive. The statement noted that the Mexican unit had not completed the required clearance procedures and that Colombian officials had offered alternative coordination through civilian agencies already operating in the affected area. Both governments indicated that discussions are ongoing to ensure continued cooperation on disaster relief, and no further restrictions on foreign assistance have been reported.