Story perspectives

Colombia Joins U.S. Shield as De la Espriella Authorizes Strikes

8/13/2026

Summary

President Authorizes Ops

President Abelardo de la Espriella authorized U.S. military operations, adding Colombia as 19th member of the Shield of the Americas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. Defense Department will join Colombia’s fight against narco-terrorism.
De la Espriella pledged strikes on guerrillas and drug traffickers and to host U.S. troops.
Opposition senators invoked Article 173, with Senator Ivan Cepeda warning deal could surrender sovereignty while Washington seeks $1 billion in aid.

Summary

Critics Decry Strikes

Critics say the joint U.S. strikes could be war crimes and urge an International Criminal Court (ICC) probe.
More than 200 people have been killed since U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats began in September.
President Gustavo Petro warned foreign cooperation does not give foreigners a “permit for Colombians” to take lives.
President Jose Raúl Mulino dismissed sovereignty concerns and said sustainable peace is impossible if the enemy advances.

History

Historical Context

Conceived in 1999 by Colombian President Andrés Pastrana and U.S. President Bill Clinton, Plan Colombia was signed into law in 2000, committing $1.3 billion in U.S. aid and later expanding to 800 military advisors. The program’s intensified counter-narcotics effort helped cut Colombian cocaine production by about 72 % between 2001 and 2012 and weakened the FARC, shaping debate over a 2024 “Shield of the Americas” revival.

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President Authorizes Ops

President Abelardo de la Espriella authorized U.S. military operations, adding Colombia as 19th member of the Shield of the Americas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. Defense Department will join Colombia’s fight against narco-terrorism.
De la Espriella pledged strikes on guerrillas and drug traffickers and to host U.S. troops.
Opposition senators invoked Article 173, with Senator Ivan Cepeda warning deal could surrender sovereignty while Washington seeks $1 billion in aid.

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