U.S. Marine Corps helicopters conduct flight over Tumaco

Two UH-1Y Venom helicopters from the United States Marine Corps' VMM 365 squadron conducted an operational evaluation flight over Tumaco, Nariño, on August 27. The flight occurred during a regional visit by U.S. Southern Command head, General Francis Donovan, and was intended to transport personnel for scheduled meetings in Ecuador.

The presence of the aircraft has sparked debate regarding the legal framework of military cooperation between Colombia and the United States. The NGO Temblores recently requested information from Colombia's Council of State concerning the presence or participation of foreign troops in the country. In response, the Council of State reported that it had found no formal requests for legal opinions regarding the entry, transit, or participation of foreign troops or joint military operations between August 7 and the present.

The Council noted that while the Constitution requires its intervention regarding the transit of foreign troops, international cooperation activities such as technical assistance, training, or experience exchange do not constitute troop transit if they do not involve direct participation in military operations, command, or the carrying of weapons.