US pledges $1bn support to Colombia as Trump-backed president sworn in

The United States has pledged a substantial $1 billion in support to Colombia following the swearing-in of the country's new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella. De la Espriella, a staunch ally of former US President Donald Trump, has pledged an "all-out war" on what he refers to as "narco-terrorism." The US State Department announced this financial aid as part of a comprehensive security package, aiming to help de la Espriella achieve shared goals such as combating organized crime and illegal immigration.

This shift in Colombian politics marks a significant rightward turn for the nation, as de la Espriella succeeds left-wing former leader Gustavo Petro. Trump endorsed de la Espriella during the election, predicting a much improved relationship with his new counterpart after his June victory. A US delegation, led by then-acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, attended the inauguration, which was also attended by controversial Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

De la Espriella opted to take the oath of office in the volatile city of Cali, rather than Colombia's capital Bogotá, as a signal of his tough stance against illegal armed groups in the region. In his fiery maiden speech, he vowed to crush armed insurgents, rebuild Colombia, and defend democracy through force if necessary. Critics have cautioned that his confrontational approach could deepen divisions in an already polarized country.

It's worth noting that de la Espriella previously represented drug-trafficking paramilitaries, footballers, and fraudsters in his legal career.

The new president has signaled a sharp break from his left-wing predecessor's policies, vowing a brutal crackdown on the activities of armed groups and the construction of large prisons. He has also pledged a strong military alliance with the US and Israel, contrasting sharply with Petro's criticism of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In one of his first acts as president, de la Espriella announced Colombia's participation in the "Shield of the Americas" security partnership, founded by Trump. The US has welcomed this move and pledged to support de la Espriella's efforts to combat narco-terrorism and criminal organizations, with shared goals including halting illegal immigration through enhanced border security coordination.