Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Tuesday expressed Cyprus’ solidarity with Colombia following the devastating earthquake that struck the country.

In a post on X, Kombos said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and extended his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

“In this difficult time, Cyprus stands with Colombia and its people,” he said.

More than 132 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, toppling buildings, damaging hospitals and infrastructure and trapping people beneath the rubble in the country’s strongest earthquake this century.

The quake struck just days after Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in as president, thrusting the new administration into its first major crisis, with memories still fresh of devastating twin earthquakes in neighboring Venezuela in June.

“The national government has all of its capabilities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever it is needed,” he said in a national address around 1 p.m. local time, upon declaring a national state of emergency and giving a death toll of 111. “The first priority is rescuing the people trapped under the rubble.”