A ‘Marshall Plan’ for Chocó: The proposal of President Abelardo de la Espriella after the earthquake
The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, has put on the table an ambitious initiative to transform the reality of the Chocó department. Following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the region last Monday, the president seeks to implement a comprehensive reconstruction project inspired by the historic ‘Marshall Plan’, with the goal of rescuing one of the most vulnerable areas of the country.
During his visit to Quibdó, the departmental capital, De la Espriella was emphatic in pointing out the historical neglect this region has suffered at the hands of political centralism in Bogotá. The president described Chocó as the “miracle homeland” and asserted that it is time to grant it the place and resources its people deserve.
I want to propose a special plan, a ‘Marshall Plan’ for Chocó. Chocó has been left to its own devices by the centralism of power in Bogotá, as if it didn’t exist, and I want to give this department of extraordinary people in the ‘miracle homeland’ the place it deserves.
Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia
Immediate actions and reconstruction vision
The head of state, who took office just a week ago, has focused his efforts on addressing the humanitarian emergency caused by the earthquake, whose epicenter was located in San José del Palmar. To date, official figures report 285 people dead and 379 missing, which has marked the beginning of his administration with a challenge of great magnitude.
During his tour of the affected educational centers and neighborhoods of Quibdó, the leader highlighted the key points of his strategy:
- National unity: The president called on Colombian society to face the tragedy collectively, highlighting the country’s capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.
- Decentralization of power: De la Espriella reaffirmed his intention to move presidential offices out of Bogotá, seeking a state presence closer to historically forgotten territories.
- Comprehensive reconstruction: Beyond material repair, the plan seeks to revitalize areas devastated by nature, transforming the crisis into an opportunity for long-term development.
The president, who claims to dedicate 20 hours a day to managing this crisis, reiterated that the reconstruction of Chocó will be one of the fundamental pillars of his administration, under the premise that these areas hit by nature must emerge strengthened thanks to an unprecedented state commitment.
