Colombia President Abelardo de la Espriella named former Foreign Minister María Consuelo Araújo his new ambassador to the US as he seeks to rebuild ties after years of tensions under his predecessor.

The death toll from Colombia’s earthquake rose above 200 as the new government of President Abelardo de la Espriella concentrates its efforts on responding to the strongest tremor to strike the country in 47 years.

Abelardo de la Espriella was only just inaugurated. His pledges to voters are already at risk.

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president Friday, marking the start of a conservative government that promises a sharp break with Gustavo Petro’s leftist administration as concerns over the nation’s finances and increased violence cloud the transition.

Leaders like Abelardo de la Espriella must deal with slew of issues all on their own.

The Trump administration and Venezuelan officials are exploring ways to unlock billions of dollars in frozen assets held abroad, looking to aid the South American nation’s recovery from twin earthquakes without placing more burden on US taxpayers, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Excavators and cranes ground to a halt at some rescue sites in Venezuela as fuel shortages hampered recovery efforts after last week’s earthquake, leaving crews unable to clear debris in some of the hardest-hit areas of La Guaira state.

Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella said his incoming administration will seek to refinance the nation’s debt to extend maturities and lower borrowing costs.

Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella said his incoming administration will seek to refinance the nation’s debt to extend maturities and lower borrowing costs.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is planning an imminent return to her country, a move that would pose the biggest political challenge yet to acting President Delcy Rodríguez as she struggles to manage the country’s deadliest natural disaster in decades.

Donald Trump endorsed celebrity lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella before a runoff election in Colombia, a fresh bid by the US president to inject himself into the politics of a Latin American neighbor.

Colombia’s leftist presidential candidate Iván Cepeda said Monday that he hadn’t seen any evidence of major irregularities in Sunday’s vote, in which he finished second to right-wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella.

Venezuela’s government said Alex Saab was deported from the country on Saturday over his alleged involvement in several crimes in the US.

The US lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s acting leader Delcy Rodríguez, the latest move to rebuild ties after Nicolás Maduro’s capture earlier this year.

Former Suriname President Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi died unexpectedly on Monday, the government announced, after leading the small but oil-rich South American nation until last year.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez ousted defense chief Vladimir Padrino in a sweeping shake-up of the armed forces.

The Trump administration promised Venezuelans economic prosperity after removing Nicolás Maduro from power. Life has only gotten harder in the two months since.

The Trump administration promised Venezuelans economic prosperity after removing Nicolás Maduro from power. Life has only gotten harder in the two months since.

The US and Venezuela agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations, the State Department said, signaling President Donald Trump’s willingness to work with the country’s current leadership now that he’s ousted Nicolás Maduro.

Most Venezuelans expect the economy and job market to improve within six months as the US eases sanctions and the government rolls out reforms to attract investment.