Marco Rubio Leaves Door Open to US Military Bases in Colombia
Marco Rubio left open on Tuesday a possibility that for decades would have been difficult to imagine in Colombia: that the United States could directly expand its military presence on Colombian territory, including military bases, troops and, eventually, operations against illegal armed groups. The U.S. secretary of state made the statement after meeting with President […]
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio left the door open to the possibility of establishing military bases and airstrike operations in Colombia. During a meeting with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, Rubio indicated that the U.S. is willing to consider any requests from Colombia for such arrangements. However, he stressed that any decision would require Colombian cooperation and would be evaluated by the U.S. Department of War, taking into account feasibility, cost, and compliance with U.S. law.
This statement marks a significant departure from previous U.S. policy, as Colombia has never had a permanent U.S. military base. The new U.S.-Colombian relationship focuses on security, drug trafficking, trade, and intelligence-sharing, with both governments aiming to build a stronger alliance. While the possibility of U.S. military involvement extends to confronting criminal organizations, Rubio emphasized the need for cooperation and dialogue with Colombian authorities and the governments of affected countries like Venezuela.
The possibility of U.S. military operations against Colombian armed groups, such as the ELN, was previously hinted at by the U.S. Defense Secretary, suggesting that Washington is willing to explore joint military operations with Colombia.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
