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Colombia authorizes joint military operations with US
Colombia joined a US-led anti-cartel coalition and authorized joint military operations against drug trafficking.
What happened
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Colombia had authorized joint military operations against drug trafficking and joined the US-led Coalition against Cartels of the Americas. He made the announcement in Panama after President Abelardo de la Espriella took office. The coalition coordinates action against organized crime.
Numbers
- 19th memberColombia’s position in coalition
- $1 billionPlanned US security aid — Announced on inauguration day
Questions
- What is the cartel coalition?
- It is the main instrument of the Shield of the Americas, aimed at border security, criminal finances and regional coordination.
- Why did Colombia seek cooperation?
- At his inauguration, he pledged to fight drug-trafficking groups without pause and ruled out peace negotiations with armed groups.
- What further US support is planned?
- The State Department planned security assistance for Colombia, tying the new partnership to wider US backing for its security campaign.
- Who signed the agreement?
- Clarín reported that Hegseth and Jorge Eduardo Mora signed the agreement during Colombia’s entry into the coalition.
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The catch
The reports do not specify where, when, or under what command joint operations would take place.