The United States intends to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia, the State Department said late Friday, as the new government of President Abelardo de la Espriella took office with a pledge to intensify the fight against drug trafficking.
The aid package will support De la Espriella's administration and is framed as part of a broader security cooperation framework. De la Espriella, who was sworn in on Friday after winning a June runoff election, announced that Colombia would join the Shield of the Americas, a program founded by Donald Trump.
The incoming president, an ally of Trump, promised austerity measures and a vigorous drug crackdown in his inaugural address. The State Department confirmed the planned assistance on Friday evening, aligning the aid with Washington's backing of the new rightwing government.