US Keeps Colombia Decertified Despite Recognizing De la Espriella’s Promises

The United States has decided to maintain Colombia's decertification in the fight against drugs, despite acknowledging President Abelardo de la Espriella's intentions to change the country's approach. This decision, made by the Trump administration, reflects concerns over the growth of coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia.

The announcement was expected to be made on September 15, just over a month after De la Espriella came into power, proposing a shift from the previous anti-drug policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.

While the U.S. government acknowledged De la Espriella's commitments to intensify the fight against drug trafficking and reduce cocaine production, it determined that these measures are not sufficient to alter its assessment of Colombia's failure to meet international counternarcotics obligations. Colombia remains among the countries considered to have "demonstrably failed" in meeting their international counternarcotics obligations over the past year.

The U.S. maintains that the record levels of coca cultivation and cocaine production in recent years represent a failure to meet commitments regarding eradication, interdiction, and the fight against drug trafficking organizations. The new Colombian administration will be given a year to demonstrate verifiable progress in reducing coca cultivation, eradication, and operations against drug-trafficking groups.

Despite the decertification, the U.S. maintains its assistance to Colombia, deeming it vital to its national interests, and keeps the bilateral cooperation on security and drug-fighting open.