Colombia¡¯s government plans to declare an economic emergency to bolster its response to a massive earthquake, as the country¡¯s new president faces a tough and early test of his abilities to handle a crisis.
An emergency order would give President Abelardo de la Espriella, who began his four-year term on Friday, temporary authority to issue economic and tax decrees without the need for congressional approval.
That will significantly expand his ability to respond to the 7.4-magnitude quake that hit Monday, leaving more than 180 dead in Colombia¡¯s Pacific region and the central Andes.
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