The US Congress passed the Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2022. Defense Minister Diego Molano assured that part of the $471.3 million would be used to strengthen the mobile riot squadron of the National Police (Esmad).
According to the minister, this improves military capabilities, in aviation, in armored vehicles to fight drug trafficking and transnational crime threats.
In addition, he considered that the most important thing was the legitimacy that the US government grants to the Colombian public forces, considering that these funds are no longer conditioned as they were after the allegations of police abuse that occurred after the November 2019 strike and the death of Dilan. Cruz.
For his part, President Iván Duque assured that Colombia's highest allocation in the last decade is an example “of the excellent cooperative relations between our countries and it is confirmed that we are the most important ally of the United States, in the hemisphere”.
The Head of State confirmed that investments will be made in the fight against drug trafficking and in the care of the most vulnerable.
According to the Colombian ambassador to the United States, Juan Carlos Pinzón, the resources are intended for the indigenous and Afro-descendant populations of the country and, also, for the strengthening of military forces and processes such as mine clearance.
In addition, the ambassador stressed that “a large part of these resources remain for a future administration in Colombia.”
Compared to the budget allocated for 2021, there has been an increase of $10 million. In addition, $17.5 million more than what the Joe Biden administration asked for this year.
On March 10, US President Joe Biden told his Colombian counterpart, Iván Duque, of his intention to make Colombia a major non-NATO ally, a special status that involves economic and military privileges.
“Today, I am proud to announce that I intend to designate Colombia as the main non-NATO ally,” Biden said during his meeting with Duque at the White House, during the first official meeting between the two.
“That's exactly what you are, a great ally, not NATO. It is a recognition of the unique and close relationship between our countries,” said the US president.
Biden stressed that “the relationship between the United States and Colombia is the basis for security and prosperity, and will continue to grow in greater ways.”
For his part, Duque celebrated 200 years of bilateral ties and highly appreciated the decision to designate Colombia as the main non-NATO ally.
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