BOGOTÁ—Just days after assuming the presidency of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, known as “El Tigre” (The Tiger), gave a new twist to the country's security strategy by requesting the collaboration of the United States to carry out joint military operations against organizations linked to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism.
The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete
Hegseth during a meeting of the Americas Cartel Coalition (A3C) held in Panama.
According to the U.S. official, the new Colombian government formally requested
Washington's cooperation to confront organized crime structures.
The decision represents a significant change from the
security policy of the previous Colombian government and strengthens the
relationship between Bogotá and Washington in matters of defense and the fight
against drug trafficking.
Colombia has also joined the so-called “Shield of the
Americas,” a regional initiative launched by President Donald Trump’s
administration to coordinate efforts against drug cartels and other
drug-related threats. With Colombia’s addition, the coalition now has 19 member
countries.
The new Colombian administration has pursued a hardline
policy against criminal organizations from the outset. De la Espriella, who
took office on August 7, has promised to strengthen security operations, combat
armed groups, and adopt stricter measures against organized crime.
This rapprochement with Washington could make Colombia one
of the United States’ main military partners in Latin America within the new
regional strategy against the cartels.