The US State Department announces that President Donald Trump’s administration plans to provide $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia. The announcement comes late Friday as Abelardo De La Espriella is sworn in as Colombia’s new president.
De La Espriella, described by outlets as a right-wing leader, makes public commitments in his first address. In one account, he vows to “defeat narco-terrorists” at a military garrison in Cali. Euronews also reports Trump expresses strong praise for De La Espriella, calling him a “smart, strong, and tough leader,” while the France 24 reports focus more directly on the timing of the US security-aid pledge tied to the inauguration.
Together, the coverage indicates the aid is linked to Colombia’s transition of power and follows Trump’s prior favorable stance toward De La Espriella. The reports do not provide further detail on how the assistance will be allocated or what specific conditions, if any, are attached.
