Colombia has agreed to joint military operations with the United States to combat drug trafficking, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth stated that Colombia requested US involvement in the fight against drug terrorism and has approved operations designed to dismantle terrorist networks. [claims:1,4]
At a meeting of partner states in Panama City, Colombia joined the US-led alliance against drug cartels, known as the Alliance Against Drug Cartels (A3C), as its 19th member. The initiative is also referred to as 'The Shield of the Americas.' [claims:5,14,15]
Colombian Defense Minister Jorge Mora confirmed the signing of a bilateral agreement with the US on X. Mora stated the agreement should increase operational effectiveness against terrorist and criminal organizations and praised the US response to President Abelardo de la Espriella's invitation to deepen operations against shared threats. [claims:8,9,10]
President De la Espriella says he plans to forge a military alliance involving the United States and Israel to assist in his war on guerrillas.
We do bad things to bad people.
Hegseth told soldiers that forces will be capable of using force against drug cartels and organizations classified as terrorist.
Colombia, the world's largest cocaine producer, has long served as the United States' most important partner in South America.
Relations between Colombia and the US deteriorated significantly under the previous Colombian president, Gustavo Petro. US President Donald Trump supported President De la Espriella during his election campaign. [claims:12,13]
Number of people killed during US military airstrikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean in September, reported at least.
