Issue Brief
September 8, 2026 • 5:30 pm ET
Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker
Bottom lines up front
One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opportunity to reset US-Colombia cooperation around trade, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery. A durable strategy will require pairing renewed military cooperation with rural development, economic growth, human rights safeguards, and support for earthquake recovery. To turn presidential alignment into a lasting partnership, both countries would benefit from strengthening bipartisan support in the US Congress, and expanding cooperation with Colombia’s regions and cities.
