Colombia
Panama City, Aug 12 (EFE).-
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, had authorized “joint military operations” with the US to combat narco-terrorism. Hegseth also revealed that the South American country had joined the Coalition Against Cartels in the Americas (A3C).
“I am also proud to announce that Colombia will join the A3C, becoming the 19th member. And through the newly inaugurated president, as our president likes to say, President El Tigre, Colombia has already requested that the Department of War join Colombia in its fight against narco-terrorism, authorizing joint military operations to destroy terrorists and terror networks,” Hegseth said during a coalition meeting in Panama City.
Since Abelardo de la Espriella’s recent victory, relations between Colombia and the US have improved, in stark contrast to the tense period under former Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
Washington has demonstrated political support, security cooperation, and aid in the wake of Monday’s earthquake, thereby strengthening the close alliance between the two like-minded governments.
On Aug. 8, Colombia’s new vice president, José Manuel Restrepo, welcomed the US State Department’s plan to allocate 1 billion dollars to Colombia as part of a security assistance package.
The package aims to bolster Colombian security forces’ efforts against terrorist and transnational criminal organizations by providing US technology, enhancing operational capabilities, and coordinating operations with US forces.
During his speech, the Secretary emphasized that strong, concrete measures like these exemplify the active, operational engagement they seek from their partners to make the A3C a powerful, lethal coalition.
He congratulated Ecuador for being the “first member” of the anti-cartel coalition to partner with the US in an operation against “narco-terrorists.” He also welcomed Honduras’s and Guatemala’s invitations for his country to participate in joint operations against drug traffickers.
In March, Ecuador, Honduras, and Guatemala were among the countries that signed on to the “Shield of the Americas,” a US-led initiative, along with Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Belize, Chile, Jamaica, and Peru.
The Coalition Against Cartels in the Americas (A3C) is the Shield of the Americas’ primary tool for coordinating actions against drug trafficking and organized crime. The coalition seeks to strengthen border security, dismantle criminal financial networks, and take joint action against shared regional threats.
“We know that a safer environment means a safer home. There can be no prosperity without security,” the US administration added.
“Together with all of you, the US will forge a secure, stable, and prosperous Western Hemisphere. We seek neither domination nor dependence. We seek only genuine collaboration with your governments to achieve security, stability, and prosperity,” the Secretary of War emphasized.
As planned, Hegseth will also observe the Panamax joint exercises, which focus on defending the security of the Panama Canal and in which 19 countries are participating in 2026. EFE
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