US Pledges $1bn to Colombia as New President Sworn In
The United States pledged around $1bn in security assistance to Colombia as its new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, was inaugurated. The aid, aimed at fighting drug trafficking and armed groups, signals warmer ties between Washington and Bogota under the new government. Mr de la Espriella has promised a tougher line on security.
The pledge marks a shift after years of strained relations, and rewards the election of a president who has aligned himself closely with Washington’s hardline approach to the drug trade. Colombia remains a major producer of cocaine, and successive American administrations have poured billions into its security forces with mixed results. Critics warn that a heavy security focus risks fuelling human-rights abuses and neglecting the roots of the violence. The new president takes office amid deep polarisation. Watch how his security crackdown unfolds and whether the American money delivers results.