Colombia and U.S. announce security and modernization roadmap

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have announced a new bilateral roadmap following a meeting in Barranquilla. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in security, migration, border management, and strategic minerals.

President De la Espriella emphasized the importance of regional stability regarding Venezuela, noting that the 2,000-kilometer shared border means Venezuelan developments directly impact Colombia through security, migration, narcotics, and energy concerns. He expressed a commitment to working responsibly with the United States to ensure institutional stability in the region.

Additionally, De la Espriella proposed the ‘Plan Patriota Siglo XXI’ to the U.S. government. This initiative seeks American funding and support to modernize the Colombian Armed Forces, aiming to acquire advanced equipment such as new aircraft, radars, drones, and helicopters to address 21st-century threats.