Military cooperation between the United States and Colombia is rapidly expanding under President Abelardo de la Espriella, with officials discussing increased surveillance of Pacific drug routes, operations along the Ecuador border and the rehabilitation of Colombia's military aircraft.
Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, traveled to Colombia last week for meetings with Defense Minister Jorge Mora and visits to several military and strategic sites. The trip came two weeks after Colombia joined Shield of the Americas, President Donald Trump's regional anti-narcotics coalition.
A central focus was Tumaco, a Pacific port that has become a major departure point for cocaine shipments and where several armed groups operate. Officials discussed moving radar systems to the area to track semi-submersibles and speedboats used to transport drugs.
Donovan also traveled to San Lorenzo, Ecuador, near the Colombian border, for talks with Colombian and Ecuadorian officials about increasing military presence and intelligence cooperation in the region.
"The border region between southwest Colombia and northwest Ecuador is a major corridor for cocaine trafficking by some of the world's most violent organizations," SOUTHCOM said through a post on X, adding that officials were developing a joint strategy targeting cartel operations and leadership.
Changing the game on the front lines of narco-terrorism:
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 27, 2026
The border region between southwest #Colombia and northwest #Ecuador is a major corridor for cocaine trafficking by some of the world's most violent organizations.
Today in the heart of that region, top Americas Counter… pic.twitter.com/RQ7DXsFHt1
The growing cooperation comes as De la Espriella moves quickly to reverse the security policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last month that Colombia had authorized joint U.S.-Colombian military operations on its territory, although Colombian authorities have not publicly confirmed that agreement.
De la Espriella has also intensified Colombia's own military campaign against armed groups. A government-ordered airstrike Monday killed 20 FARC dissidents in Guaviare, the deadliest such bombing in years, according to a military source cited by AFP. His government has reported killing at least 38 guerrillas in its first weeks.
The shift extends to cooperation with the U.S. justice system. Last week, De la Espriella ordered the extradition of five alleged criminal leaders whose transfers to the United States had been suspended under Petro while they participated in peace negotiations.
SOUTHCOM said Donovan's visit reaffirmed efforts to strengthen ties with Colombia, which it described as a "vital, long-standing security partner."
