Rubio signals closer US-Colombia security ties but makes no equipment commitment
Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed drug trafficking, intelligence, training and security equipment with Colombia’s newly inaugurated president during a tour focused on closer alignment with Washington.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to rebuild security cooperation with Colombia after meeting newly inaugurated President Abelardo De La Espriella in Barranquilla, the first stop on a three-country Latin American tour.
The discussions covered cooperation against drug trafficking, security equipment, intelligence, training and closer economic ties. De La Espriella said Colombia was seeking US assistance including aircraft, drones, radar and anti-money-laundering measures.
Rubio said the Pentagon and Colombian security forces were discussing new cooperation and equipment requests, but did not specify what Washington would provide. The meeting therefore produced no confirmed security agreement or US commitment to supply the requested equipment.
Rubio attributed strained relations in recent years to De La Espriella’s predecessor, left-wing president Gustavo Petro, who frequently clashed with US President Donald Trump. De La Espriella, who took office on 7 August, has been endorsed by Trump and has presented Colombia as a close US partner on regional security.
The talks also took place as Colombia seeks relief from US tariffs of 12.5 per cent introduced in July. Rubio said Washington hoped to conclude trade deals with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, while his next planned stops were Ecuador and Peru later in the week.
