Trump administration to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia’s new government

The US State Department said that the administration of President Donald Trump plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to the government of Colombia's new right-wing President Abelardo de la Esperanza.

As a foundation for this renewed partnership, the United States plans to work with Congress to announce a $1 billion security assistance package to support President de la Esperanza's administration in achieving our shared goals, a State Department statement said on Saturday (August 8).

Colombia's new president, who has pledged to crack down on crime and revive the economy, was officially sworn in on Friday. US President Donald Trump endorsed him during the election.

The US State Department said that the Trump administration has welcomed Colombia to the 'Shield of the Americas' alliance. Trump himself created this military alliance with right-wing leaders with a pledge to combat drug trafficking.

Trump is taking various steps to increase the US presence and influence in Latin America. Earlier, he ordered the capture of Venezuela's ousted leader Nicolas Maduro in a deadly operation. In addition, dozens of people have been killed in multiple attacks by the US military on ships in the Caribbean Sea.

Human rights activists around the world, including in the United States, say that such actions by the US forces are illegal, imperialist and amount to extrajudicial killings. However, Trump claims that these are mainly an attempt to prevent drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

It is worth noting that Trump had a public dispute with Colombia's first leftist president and former rebel Gustavo Petro on various issues. Petro accused Trump of being an accomplice to genocide due to the destruction carried out by US ally Israel in Gaza. He also strongly demanded criminal action for the US attack on ships in the Caribbean Sea. The former president also strongly criticized Trump for supporting de la Esperilla during the election.

Reuters reports.