Colombia · Security
Key Facts
New member Hegseth said Colombia would join the US-led Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition — nicknamed the Shield of the Americas (Escudo de las Américas) — as its 19th member, announced 12 August 2026.
Joint ops Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Colombia authorized “joint military operations to destroy terrorists and terror networks” at the Panama City anti-cartel conference.
Troop offer President Abelardo de la Espriella offered to host US troops on Colombian soil, pledging to intensify the fight against drug-trafficking criminal groups.
