politics
U.S. pledges $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia as new president vows to "defeat narco-terrorism"
August 8, 2026 / 10:39 AM EDT / CBS/AFP
TL;DR
- The U.S. will provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia.
- The aid package supports the new administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella.
- De la Espriella won his campaign on a platform of security concerns and fear.
- He pledged to "relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism" and stated dialogue options are "exhausted."
- This marks a shift from the previous administration's peace talks with guerrillas.
- Colombia has been a key ally to the U.S. in counternarcotics and trade.
- The relationship deteriorated during former President Gustavo Petro's leftist administration.
- De la Espriella, who holds dual U.S. and Colombian citizenship, is open to hosting U.S. troops and plans to bomb cocaine labs and build "mega-prisons."