Trump Administration Unveils $1 Billion Security Package for Colombia’s New President
The Trump administration announced Friday that it intends to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia’s new government, signaling strong U.S. backing for newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella and his tough approach to combating armed groups and organized crime.
In a statement, the State Department said the funding will form the foundation of a renewed partnership between Washington and Bogotá.
“As a cornerstone of this renewed partnership, the United States, working with Congress, intends to announce $1 billion in assistance as part of a security package to support President de la Espriella’s Administration in achieving our shared goals,” the State Department said in a statement.
De la Espriella officially took office Friday in an inauguration that broke with Colombian tradition. Rather than being sworn in in the nation’s capital, the 48-year-old president chose the southwestern city of Cali, a region long plagued by violence, in a move intended to underscore his commitment to confronting illegal armed organizations.
The new president succeeds Gustavo Petro after narrowly defeating Petro ally Sen. Ivan Cepeda in the June 21 runoff election.
Although new to elected office, de la Espriella entered the race as a political outsider. He financed his own campaign using wealth accumulated through his legal and business careers. His inauguration, held in a university auditorium before members of Congress, reflects the latest shift toward conservative leadership in parts of Latin America.
The ceremony drew a number of prominent international guests, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, and Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast.
{Matzav.com}
