Colombia

Colombia

Colombia and the United States have consolidated a close and mutually-beneficial partnership over the past twenty years. Plan Colombia, a bipartisan foreign policy success, laid the foundation for a strategic alliance that has widened to include sustainable development, trade, hemispheric security, and human rights. Today, Colombia is positioning itself as a leader in the region and the world.

Recent analysis

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

Issue Brief Sep 8, 2026

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

By Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker

One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opening to strengthen US-Colombia cooperation on security, trade and investment, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery.
Americas Colombia
Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

Issue Brief Sep 2, 2026

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Colombia’s new president has made restoring state authority in the country’s conflict-affected territories a central priority as armed groups compete to control communities and economies. In the wake of the August 10 earthquake, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how Colombia, with US support, can build lasting state presence.
Americas Colombia
Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

Issue Brief Aug 20, 2026

A Colombia-Venezuela agenda for recovery, security, and economic growth

By the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia have created urgent humanitarian needs that will require sustained international support. As recovery advances, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how both countries, with US support, can build a cooperation agenda.
Colombia Economy & Business

Events

Online Event Tue, August 18, 2026 • 11:30 am ET

Response and recovery priorities after Colombia’s earthquake
Americas Colombia Infrastructure Latin America
Public Event Tue, July 14, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Colombia’s government transition and the priorities ahead
Colombia Economy & Business Latin America Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Mon, June 22, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

Colombia’s new government and the road ahead
Colombia Latin America

US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

At a moment of renewed US focus on the Western Hemisphere and Colombia’s ongoing electoral cycle, the Atlantic Council is launching the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition to help update and modernize the bilateral agenda and put forward recommendations to strengthen security and economic cooperation and the broader US-Colombia partnership.

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.

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Voces de impacto episodes

Voces de impacto: Conversations with US and Colombian leaders and changemakers. Join the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center for dialogues that highlight traditionally underrepresented voices from across Colombian society.

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Content

Issue Brief

Sep 8, 2026

Turning early alignment into a durable US-Colombia partnership

By Carolina Barco and Kevin Whitaker

One month into President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration, early alignment with the Trump administration creates an opening to strengthen US-Colombia cooperation on security, trade and investment, regional stability, and Venezuela’s recovery.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Sep 4, 2026

How the US can support Colombia’s post-earthquake recovery—for the long term

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

The United States has a chance to support Colombia’s path to recovery in a way that strengthens resilience and reinforces one of its most important partnerships in the region.

Colombia Crisis Management

Issue Brief

Sep 2, 2026

Strengthening state presence in Colombia’s conflict-affected territories

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Colombia's new president has made restoring state authority in the country's conflict-affected territories a central priority as armed groups compete to control communities and economies. In the wake of the August 10 earthquake, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how Colombia, with US support, can build lasting state presence.

Americas Colombia

Issue Brief

Aug 20, 2026

A Colombia-Venezuela agenda for recovery, security, and economic growth

By the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia have created urgent humanitarian needs that will require sustained international support. As recovery advances, the US-Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how both countries, with US support, can build a cooperation agenda.

Colombia Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Aug 13, 2026

A path toward sustainable security in Colombia

By Geoff Ramsey, Ilona Barrero

Colombia has a long road ahead to sustainable peace. Recognizing the failures of past approaches, the incoming government could seek a new security strategy that draws on building state presence in conflict areas and clear institutional frameworks to foster safety and security for Colombian citizens going forward.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Aug 12, 2026

A deadly earthquake gives Colombia’s new president his first test

By Jason Marczak

After the earthquake, de la Espriella must demonstrate firm leadership and his commitment to making the state work in the regions.

Colombia Elections

Dispatches

Aug 7, 2026

Abelardo de la Espriella takes office in Colombia with a head start in Washington

By Jason Marczak

The new Colombian president and his US counterpart should seize the opportunity to reset the long-term bilateral relationship.

Colombia Economy & Business

Dispatches

Jul 29, 2026

Colombia’s next president wants to work with the US. Here’s how Washington should respond.

By Enrique Millán-Mejía and Raúl González-Pietrogiovanna

The Trump administration can support the next phase of the relationship by presenting a real alternative to Chinese financing for critical projects.

Colombia Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Jul 21, 2026

Colombia’s path to growth and opportunity through cooperation with the United States

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Abelardo de la Espriella will take office as Colombia's next president on August 7, inheriting a challenging fiscal deficit, elevated borrowing costs, and softening investor confidence. As his government works to restore growth, the Atlantic Council's US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition outlines how strengthened trade and investment with the United States can boost economic opportunity across agribusiness, energy, critical minerals, and tourism.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Jun 22, 2026

Experts react: What a President Abelardo de la Espriella means for Colombia and beyond

By Atlantic Council experts

The right-wing candidate has emerged as the winner of Colombia’s runoff election for president, marking an important break with the outgoing administration.

Colombia Elections
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Experts

Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia

Staff

Ilona Barrero

Program Assistant

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia English

Advisory Council member

Mauricio Cárdenas

Former Minister of Finance; Former Minister of Economic Development, Transport, Planning; Former Minister of Mines and Energy, Colombia

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia Economy & Business

Staff

Tomás Gómez Revelo

Program Assistant

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Colombia Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Jorge Guzman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia English
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