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

What makes Colombian mercenaries so interesting?

Dispatches Feb 23, 2026

Why Colombia’s veterans are going to war in Ukraine

By Erin K. McFee

A lack of economic opportunities and pathways to reintegration is leading Colombian veterans to fight for Ukraine.
Colombia Conflict
What makes Colombian mercenaries so interesting?

Dispatches Feb 5, 2026

How the Trump-Petro meeting could reshape Colombia’s electoral landscape

By Isabella Palacios

Petro’s turn toward engagement with Trump could have a significant impact on Colombia’s upcoming elections and the next president’s relations with Washington.
Colombia Latin America
What makes Colombian mercenaries so interesting?

Dispatches Feb 2, 2026

To repair US-Colombia ties, Trump and Petro should focus on counternarcotics and Venezuela

By Kevin Whitaker

By focusing on shared interests on counternarcotics and Venezuela, Tuesday’s Oval Office meeting between the US and Colombian presidents can put the two nations’ bilateral relations on a better path.
Colombia Crisis Management

Events

Online Event Fri, June 20, 2025 • 6:30 am ET

Addressing China’s growing influence in Colombia
Colombia Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security Latin America
Online Event Wed, March 26, 2025 • 7:00 am ET

Evaluating the US-Colombia commercial relationship
Colombia Economy & Business Latin America Trade and tariffs
Public Event Wed, November 20, 2024 • 10:45 am ET

Senator Ben Cardin reflects on his decades-long work to shape the Americas
Americas Colombia Corruption Economy & Business

Programs

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

Podcast

May 29, 2024

What makes Colombian mercenaries so interesting?

By Alia Brahimi

Coming up this Thursday, in Season 2, Episode 2 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi is joined by Dr. Andrés Macías, a Bogota-based expert on Colombian mercenaries. They begin by looking at the explosive case of 26 Colombians arrested for their part in the 2021 assassination of the Haitian president, as well […]

Colombia Conflict

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2024

Colombia’s president must focus on economic stewardship in the second half of his term

By Enrique Millán-Mejía, Geoff Ramsey

President Gustavo Petro should adopt a steadier hand on domestic issues and a more cooperative stance toward international private sector investment.

Colombia Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 28, 2024

Irregular migration starts well before the US southern border. Focus on the driving causes of the problem.

By María Eugenia Brizuela de Avila

The United States must work with other countries in the Western Hemisphere to address the economic and security factors that drive migration.

Caribbean Colombia
An aerial view of Quito, Ecuador

Spotlight

Jan 12, 2024

2024 predictions: How ten issues could shape the year in Latin America and the Caribbean

By Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

How will the region ride a new wave of changing economic and political dynamics? Will the region sizzle or fizzle? Join in and be a part of our ten-question poll on the future of LAC.

Brazil Caribbean

Report

Nov 30, 2023

Advancing US-Colombia cooperation on drug policy and law enforcement

By Atlantic Council US-Colombia Advisory Group

Consumption and price of the drug has remained stable in the United States in recent years. However, the current trend of falling coca leaf and cocaine prices in Colombia present a natural incentive for coca growers to find alternative forms of income, which could mean a higher rate of success for alternative development programs.

Civil Society Colombia

New Atlanticist

Nov 13, 2023

What Colombia’s ambitious new anti-drug plan means for US relations

By Lucie Kneip and Geoff Ramsey

The Colombian government recently unveiled a new ten-year drug strategy, attempting to break from a half-century of policies that have failed to curb coca production.

Americas Colombia

In the News

Oct 26, 2023

Global China Hub nonresident senior fellow Parsifal D’Sola quoted in the Financial Times

Global Senior Hub nonresident senior fellow Parsifal D’Sola quoted in the Financial Times discussing China’s ambitions in Latin America. He says, “[Gaining a foothold in Colombia] would help with the distribution of products and technology services, among other Chinese interests, and given Colombia’s historical ties to the US, it would be a diplomatic win for […]

China Colombia

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin denies that it targeted civilians in a missile attack on a pizza restaurant

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A deadly Russian missile strike on a cafe in Kramatorsk leaves a dozen dead and more injured. Post-mutiny, Wagner's future in Africa is up in the air.

Africa Belarus

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2023

What’s going on in Colombia? A guide to Petro’s cabinet shake-up, Venezuela summit, and future US collaboration

By Geoff Ramsey, Isabel Chiriboga

Despite some friction, Colombia's conference on Venezuela highlighted the potential for Washington and Bogotá to work together.

Colombia Latin America

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2023

Can Colombia and the United States get on the same page?

By Atlantic Council experts

The two countries find themselves at odds on counternarcotics policy, but in synch on climate. Our experts break down the presidents' Oval Office meeting

Colombia Latin America
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Federico Hoyos

Executive Director, Fundacion Los 8 Valores

Millennium Leadership Program

Colombia Latin America

Staff

Jason Marczak

Vice President and Senior Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Argentina

Staff

Enrique Millán-Mejía

Senior Fellow, Economic Development

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Colombia

Advisory Council member

Luis Alberto Moreno

Former President, Inter-American Development Bank

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia Economy & Business

Advisory Council member

Leticia Ossa Daza

Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Colombia

Staff

Isabella Palacios

Program Assistant

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Central America Colombia
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