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Colombia agrees to joint US military operations against drug cartels
🇩🇪 Germany /Conflict & Security

Colombia agrees to joint US military operations against drug cartels

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Colombia has agreed to joint military operations with the United States to combat drug trafficking, with the US stating the South American nation requested assistance to dismantle terrorist networks.
  • US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Colombia's accession to the US-led Alliance to Combat Cartels (A3C), emphasizing a commitment to aggressively targeting drug cartels and organizations deemed terrorist.
  • The move follows a shift in US-Colombia relations under new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, contrasting with the previous administration's strained ties, and aligns with a broader US strategy against drug cartels in the region.

Colombia has officially joined a US-led alliance aimed at combating drug cartels, agreeing to joint military operations against what US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as "drug terrorism." Hegseth announced Colombia's participation in the Alliance to Combat Cartels (A3C) in Panama City, stating that the South American nation had requested US assistance to dismantle terrorist networks. "We are doing bad things to bad people," Hegseth declared, vowing to use force against cartels and terrorist-designated organizations.

We are doing bad things to bad people.

— Pete HegsethUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement on the planned military action against drug cartels.

The agreement marks a significant shift in US-Colombia relations, particularly following the election of right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, who had received support from then-US President Donald Trump. Under de la Espriella's left-wing predecessor, Gustavo Petro, ties between the two nations had deteriorated. The Colombian Minister of Defense, Jorge Mora, confirmed the bilateral agreement on X, formerly Twitter, stating it would enhance operational effectiveness against terrorist and criminal organizations. He also acknowledged the US's positive response to President De la Espriella's invitation to deepen cooperation.

We will be very capable of exercising violence against drug cartels and organizations classified as terrorist.

— Pete HegsethUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking to soldiers about the planned military action.

Colombia, the world's largest producer of cocaine, has historically been a key US partner in South America. Trump had previously launched his "The Shield of the Americas" initiative in Miami, urging Latin American states to join the fight against drug cartels. The US had already provided military support to Ecuador in March for similar anti-drug operations. This new pact signifies a renewed commitment to a hardline approach against drug trafficking in the region.

to increase operational effectiveness in the fight against terrorist and criminal organizations

— Jorge MoraColombian Minister of Defense Jorge Mora confirming the bilateral agreement on X.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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