US promises $1bn in security aid to Colombia as new rightwing president pledges drugs crackdown

Key Points:

• The Trump administration announced plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia's new rightwing president, Abelardo De La Espriella, to support his fight against drug trafficking and armed groups.
• De La Espriella, who won June’s runoff election, pledged to shrink the state by up to 40%, revive the oil and gas sector, and eradicate illicit coca crops using environmentally safe aerial herbicides.
• In his inaugural speech, De La Espriella declared a firm stance against criminal gangs and narco-terrorist groups, rejecting peace talks and emphasizing the restoration of order and authority.
• The US State Department described the aid as part of a renewed partnership aimed at shared goals, while De La Espriella’s election reflects a broader rightward shift in Latin America amid economic struggles and rising crime.
• Despite his strong rhetoric, analysts caution that many of De La Espriella’s proposed policies may face challenges in Colombia’s divided congress and could be diluted through negotiations.