The United States has pledged $1bn in a security package to Colombia after the inauguration of Trump-backed Abelardo de la Espriella. Speaking in Cali, de la Espriella vowed an "all-out war" on "narco-terrorism" and promised a hardline security approach that rejects renewed peace talks with armed groups. Washington said the aid aims to combat organised crime, tighten border security and deepen economic ties under a pro-growth agenda.
US Pledges $1bn Security Package to Colombia as Trump-Backed President Vows 'All-Out War' on Narco-Terrorism
Abelardo de la Espriella pledged a crackdown on organised crime in his first speech as president on Friday [Reuters]
The United States has pledged $1bn in a security package to Colombia following the inauguration of right-wing, Trump-backed Abelardo de la Espriella. Some outlets initially quoted the figure as £1bn; the US State Department described the aid as part of a coordinated effort to support shared goals on security, border control and economic cooperation.
US Support and Security Package
In a statement declaring a "new era in US-Colombia relations," the State Department said the assistance is intended to help Colombia counter organised crime, curb illegal migration and strengthen law enforcement capacity. Washington said it "stands ready to support the de la Espriella administration's efforts to defeat the vicious narco-terrorist and criminal organisations" that threaten regional stability.
Inauguration and Political Shift
De la Espriella — who was endorsed by former US president Donald Trump during the campaign — was sworn in on Friday in the western city of Cali rather than in the capital, Bogotá. Officials said the decision to hold the ceremony in Cali was intended to underscore a tougher stance toward illegal armed groups operating in the region.
Hardline Rhetoric and Domestic Policy
In a fiery inaugural address delivered to troops at a nearby military base, de la Espriella vowed an "all-out war" on what he called "narco-terrorism," declaring that "there will not be a single place in our territory where criminals can feel safe." He pledged to crush armed insurgents, rebuild public institutions and defend the state "by reason or by force."
De la Espriella has rejected renewed peace talks with armed groups, instead promising a tough security-first approach that includes plans for large prisons and intensified military operations. Critics warn his confrontational style and background as a lawyer for controversial clients could deepen political polarisation in an already divided country.
International Alignments and Reactions
One of his first moves as president was to announce Colombia's intention to join the "Shield of the Americas," a security partnership founded during the Trump administration. De la Espriella has also signalled closer military ties with the United States and Israel, marking a sharp shift from his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who was more critical of those alliances.
A US delegation led by then-acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has since been confirmed, attended the inauguration. The ceremony was also attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Context: The new administration's security-first agenda and closer ties with Washington could reshape Colombia's approach to organised crime and migration, but the rhetoric and tactics proposed have raised concerns among human rights groups and political opponents.
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