US pledges $1bn support to Colombia as Trump-backed president sworn in
The United States has pledged $1 billion in security assistance to Colombia following the inauguration of new right-wing president Abelardo de la Espriella. The new administration has promised a crackdown on organized crime and narco-terrorism.
Why it matters
This marks a significant shift in Colombian politics and US-Colombia relations, moving away from the previous left-wing administration.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Abelardo de la Espriella pledged a crackdown on organised crime in his first speech as president on Friday
The US has pledged £1bn in assistance to Colombia, after the country's new right-wing president was sworn in on Friday.
Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella used his maiden speech to promise an "all-out war" on what he calls "narco-terrorism".
In a statement hailing a "new era in US-Colombia relations", the US state department announced the financial support as part of a "security package" to help de la Espriella achieve "our shared goals", which include fighting organised crime and illegal immigration.
The new president's inauguration marks a dramatic shift to the right for Colombia, as he replaces the left-wing former leader Gustavo Petro, who frequently clashed with Trump.
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