Issue Brief
September 2, 2026
the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition
Bottom lines up front
President Abelardo de la Espriella has prioritized restoring state authority in conflict-affected regions, where long-standing gaps in state presence have enabled armed groups to expand. A security-first strategy can be paired with territorial development policies that strengthen state presence, expand legal economic opportunities, and address the conditions that enable armed groups to maintain control.US-Colombia cooperation under the proposed $1 billion US assistance package should focus on civilian protection, rural investment, counternarcotics efforts, and preventing armed groups from recruiting children.
