Xi offers help as mudslide toll rises

MOCOA, Colombia - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a message of condolence to his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos over the deadly flooding and landslides that hit the Latin American country on Saturday.

Xi said he extended his deep sympathies to the victims and their families on behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in his own name.

Xi offered aid and assistance with post-disaster reconstruction, adding that he also believed that the Colombian people would overcome the aftermath of the disaster and rebuild their homeland under the leadership of Santos and his government.