WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he will name Colombia as a major non-NATO ally, a significant recognition as the United States tries to undercut Russian President Vladimir Putin’s influence in Latin America after his invasion of Ukraine.
The special status has been given to only two other Latin American nations — Argentina and Brazil — and signals a very close relationship between the United States and countries not part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The designation provides Colombia with certain trade benefits and boosts opportunities for security cooperation between the two countries— including Colombia’s potential eligibility to purchase depleted uranium ammunition, according to the State Department.
