The U.S. Congress passed the Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2022. Defense Minister Diego Molano assured that part of the $471.3 million will be used to reinforce the National Police Mobile Anti-Riot Squadron (Esmad).
According to the minister, this allows the improvement in military capabilities, in aviation, in armored cars to combat drug trafficking and the threats of transnational crime.
In addition, he considered that the most important thing is the legitimacy that the US Government gives to the Colombian public forces, considering that these monies are no longer conditioned as they were after the allegations of police abuse arising 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 care for the most vulnerable.
According to the Colombian Ambassador to the United States, Juan Carlos Pinzón, the resources are for the country's Afro-descendant and indigenous populations and, also, to strengthen the Military Forces and processes such as mine clearance.
In addition, the ambassador stressed that “a large part of these resources remains for a next administration in Colombia.”
Compared to the budget allocated for 2021, there was an increase of 10 million dollars. Also, $17.5 million more than what the Joe Biden administration had requested for this year.
On March 10, US President Joe Biden conveyed his Colombian counterpart, Iván Duque, his intention to make Colombia a major non-NATO ally, a special status that entails economic and military privileges.
“Today I am proud to announce that I intend to designate Colombia as the main non-NATO ally,” Biden said at his meeting with Duque at the White House, at the first official meeting between the two.
“That is exactly what you are, a great, great ally not NATO. This is a recognition of the unique and close relationship between our countries,” said the US president.
Biden stressed that “the relationship between the US and Colombia is the basis for security and prosperity, and it will continue to grow more importantly.”
For his part, Duque celebrated 200 years of bilateral ties and highly valued the decision to designate Colombia as the main non-NATO ally.
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