US pledges $1 billion security aid to Colombia as Trump-endorsed president takes office

The US has pledged $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia as the country's new right-wing President Abelardo De La Espriella took office. According to the US State Department, the aid package aims to strengthen cooperation with De La Espriella's government and support his administration in achieving shared goals. The assistance will focus on strengthening Colombia's security forces through US technology, improved defense-spending efficiency, and coordinated operations with US forces.

De La Espriella, also known as "The Tiger," has vowed to take a tougher approach to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. In his inaugural speech at a military garrison in Cali, he pledged to "relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism" and restore order, authority, and freedom in the country. He also announced plans to crack down on armed groups, shrink the state by as much as 40%, and revive the oil and gas sector.

A US presidential delegation, led by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, represented Washington at De La Espriella's inauguration, demonstrating the administration's commitment to "reinvigorating" US-Colombia relations. De La Espriella, an ally of US President Donald Trump, won the June runoff election with promises to transform the country's destiny. According to RTE News, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also present at the inauguration, where he received backing from South American football.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Al Jazeera, Free Malaysia Today, The Guardian, RTE News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.