US pledges $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia as new right-wing president takes office

Aug 8, 2026

The U.S. State Department has pledged $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia following the inauguration of right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella on August 7, 2026. De La Espriella, a Trump-endorsed political outsider, broke tradition by taking his oath in Cali, where he declared an "all-out war" on narco-terrorism and joined the U.S.-led "Shield of the Americas" alliance. This transition marks a sharp rightward shift from the leftist administration of Gustavo Petro.

De la Espriella presidential inauguration

▪A U.S. delegation led by acting attorney general Todd Blanche attended Abelardo De La Espriella's presidential inauguration on August 7, 2026.
▪Abelardo De La Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's president on August 7, 2026, in Cali, breaking with the tradition of holding the ceremony in Bogotá.

US billion-dollar security package

▪The $1 billion U.S. security package is intended to strengthen Colombia's security forces, expand operational capabilities, and increase military interoperability with U.S. forces.
▪The U.S. State Department announced on August 7, 2026, that the Trump administration plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia.

Narco-terrorism crackdown pledge

▪Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella vowed to eradicate illicit crops by using aerial herbicides that do not harm human health or the environment.
▪Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella pledged an "all-out war" on "narco-terrorism" and declared that peace talks with armed groups are completely exhausted.

Trump administration partnership renewal

▪The U.S. State Department welcomed Colombia into the "Shield of the Americas," a Trump-created military alliance of right-wing leaders pledging to fight drug trafficking.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Abelardo De La Espriella during the Colombian presidential election campaign, calling him a smart, strong, and tough leader.

Right-wing shift from Petro

▪Leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda, a Gustavo Petro ally who was defeated by Abelardo De La Espriella in the runoff, led a protest march in Barranquilla on August 7, 2026.
▪Abelardo De La Espriella's election marks a sharp rightward shift from former President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, who frequently feuded with Donald Trump.

State reform agenda

▪Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella has proposed shrinking the size of the Colombian state by as much as 40% and implementing austerity measures.
▪Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella has proposed building "mega-prisons" and reviving the country's oil and gas sector.