The US-Colombia relationship has long been defined by close cooperation on security and socio-economic prosperity, but recent tensions have introduced uncertainty into the historical partnership. At the same time, Colombia faces an increasingly complex domestic context marked by the expansion of illegal armed groups and persistent gaps in state presence and service delivery.
The 2026 electoral period opens a window to reassess the bilateral agenda and identify areas where cooperation can be updated, strengthened, or refocused in line with evolving needs and priorities in both countries
Against this backdrop, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center launched the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition to develop a renewed agenda for cooperation. Throughout the electoral cycle and presidential transition, the Coalition will identify practical pathways forward, drawing on a broader set of local perspectives and grounding its recommendations in on-the-ground realities.
Areas of focus
The Coalition will prioritize five key topics, each of which has been identified as crucial to the future of US-Colombia relations and to US interests across the region more broadly:
Election security and stability
Amid rising political violence and concerns over illegal armed group influence in the presidential elections, the Coalition will identify measures that state institutions, civil society, and international partners—including the United States, can take to foster a constructive electoral environment that protects candidates and communities.
Modernizing US-Colombia security cooperation
As security challenges evolve, so must the US-Colombia partnership. This pillar focuses on updating bilateral cooperation to better respond to shifting trends, including the fragmentation of illegal armed groups, illegal mining, displacement driven by armed groups, and evolving recruitment dynamics.
Colombia’s role in Venezuela’s recovery
Venezuela will continue to be a critical touchpoint for the bilateral relationship, as reflected by the White House between President Trump and President Petro in Washington earlier in 2026. This pillar will focus on Colombia’s potential role in supporting Venezuela’s economic recovery through private sector engagement and targeted infrastructure and logistical support. It will also explore potential coordinated responses supported by the Unites States to address illegal armed groups operating across both countries and affecting border territories.
Strengthening US-Colombia trade and investment ties
US-Colombia trade and investment ties are central to advancing shared economic interests. In a context of growing fiscal pressures in Colombia, this pillar focuses on strengthening commercial ties building on the existing free trade agreement while exploring new avenues for economic engagement that align with Washington’s agenda. It will also look at how to position Colombia as an attractive and reliable destination for US investment, while highlighting the role of trade and investment in expanding economic opportunities, particularly in regions vulnerable to illicit economies.
Expanding state presence and security in Colombia
Amid challenges with the implementation of the 2016 peace accord and widespread dissatisfaction with gaps in the “Total Peace” strategy, this pillar focuses on strengthening state presence in regions affected by illegal armed groups. It will explore how to improve local security and rebuild trust in communities where criminal actors exert influence, while considering how these challenges intersect with US interests and where international support can be most effective.
Coalition members
History
The US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition builds on nearly a decade of work by the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center to strengthen US-Colombia relations.
Launched in 2016, the US-Colombia Task Force and later the US-Colombia Advisory Group—co-chaired by Senators Roy Blunt and Ben Cardin, and later joined by Senator Bill Hagerty—convened multisector leaders to advance priorities across the bilateral agenda. This platform has helped generate recommendations spanning expanded economic cooperation, implementation of the peace accords, and post-COVID recovery.
The US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition builds on this foundation with a more focused structure, designed to respond to today’s political moment and develop a roadmap for the next chapter of bilateral ties, aligned with priorities in both Washington and Bogotá.
Explore the Program
The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.