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.