Colombia’s new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested assistance from the United States in combating narco-terrorism, including joint military operations in the region.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella wants to collaborate with the United States in joint military operations to combat narco-terrorism, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. 📰 DETAIL: Following Espriella’s inauguration last week, the new President of Colombia declared that his administration would bring “the wrath of God” to drug traffickers, vowing to “end them like cockroaches, like rats.” On Wednesday in Panama, during a meeting of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition, also known as Shield of the Americas, a multinational political and economic coalition against drug trafficking in North, Central, and South America, it was announced that Colombia would join the group as its 19th member. This initiative was established in March by President Donald J. Trump and other Latin American leaders to combat drug cartels. Colombia authorized “joint military operations to destroy terrorists and terror networks.” The U.S government has already designated multiple Colombian drug trafficking groups as terrorist organizations. “Designated terrorist organizations, with partnered governments, will be legitimate targets of the United States government,” said the Secretary of War. 🎯 IMPACT: The collaboration signifies a strengthened alliance between the U.S. and Colombia in the fight against drug cartels. This shows Espriella’s intention to fulfill his campaign promise of taking a tougher stance on drug traffickers and narco-terrorism. The expansion of Shield of the Americas demonstrates the growing desire of other regional actors, not just Colombia, to align with the U.S. in tackling the illegal drug trade. The mention of increased joint military operations in the region shows a far more militaristic approach to the cartels, rather than relying primarily or solely on standard law enforcement agencies. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “Through the newly inaugurated… President El Tigre, Colombia has already requested that the Department of War join Colombia in its fight against narco-terrorism,” said Hegseth. 👀 FLASHBACK: This comes roughly a week after far-left former President of Colombia Gustavo Petro refused to recognize Espriella’s victory over his party’s candidate in the presidential run-off. Petro threatened “civil war” if President Espriella was inaugurated. President Espriella’s victory represents a continuing trend of South American countries shifting to the right. Other South American countries that have elected right-leaning candidates in recent years include Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. |
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