US Announces $1bn Assistance to Colombia as New President Takes Office

The United States has pledged one billion pounds in assistance to Colombia following the inauguration of its new right‑wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella. The support is part of a security package aimed at tackling organized crime, illegal immigration and strengthening bilateral military cooperation.

De la Espriella used his maiden address to declare an “all‑out war” on what he called “narco‑terrorism”. He promised a forceful approach to the region’s armed groups and a crackdown on criminal networks. The speech was delivered to troops at a local military base in Cali, the city chosen deliberately to signal a hard line against illegal armed groups.

The U.S. State Department welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “new era in U.S.–Colombia relations”. It highlighted shared goals including discouraging illegal migration and boosting trade ties, while supporting the new administration’s “pro‑growth agenda”. The aid also aligns with de la Espriella’s pledge to join the “Shield of the Americas”, a security partnership founded by former President Donald Trump.

The transition marks a marked shift from the left‑leaning former president, Gustavo Petro, who had frequent disagreements with Trump. De la Espriella, who previously represented paramilitary groups and other high‑profile figures, has warned that his confrontational style could deepen an already polarized society.

In a sign of support, a U.S. delegation led by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche attended the ceremony, alongside football federation chief Gianni Infantino. The president’s oath in Cali rather than Bogotá was a symbolic break from tradition, aiming to emphasize security in the city’s volatile region.

The U.S. pledge and the new leadership’s hard‑line stance have drawn scrutiny from domestic and international observers, who are watching whether the renewed partnership will improve Colombia’s security challenges or widen societal divides.