Colombia’s new housing minister has come under fire after it emerged that he took his family on a Caribbean holiday while the country was reeling from a devastating earthquake that left thousands homeless.

The August 10 earthquake, which killed nearly 300 people in western Colombia, struck just three days after right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.

The 7.4-magnitude tremor was the most powerful in Colombia in nearly half a century.

Over the weekend, photos and videos emerged of Housing Minister Jaime Andres Beltran relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta.

The left-wing opposition said it would bring a motion of no confidence in the minister for taking leave at such a critical time.

Nearly 27,000 homes were destroyed in the quake and many survivors are now sleeping in the open, on mattresses or makeshift beds.