US Pledges $1 Billion Security Package as Colombia Joins 'Shield of the Americas'

Hours after Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's president on August 7, the US State Department announced a $1 billion security package and Colombia joined the Trump-founded "Shield of the Americas" partnership. The shift abandons predecessor Gustavo Petro's dialogue-based approach. De la Espriella has also offered to host US troops and bomb jungle cocaine labs.