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

Think broader to advance security

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
Think broader to advance security

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
Think broader to advance security

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

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Think broader to advance security

By Juan Carlos Pinzón

Advancing the US-Colombia security relationship through innovation is in the best interest of both countries. A stronger Colombia can spur democracy and freedom in the Western Hemisphere, while a weaker Colombia opens the door to regional violence and instability. Colombia cannot fall or fail.

Colombia Conflict

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Ensure a whole-of-government approach

By Rebecca Bill Chavez

Despite the great potential to achieve long-term peace throughout Colombia, without a well-funded whole-of- government approach focused on social recovery of territory, these efforts run the risk of not living up to their promise and that of the 2016 peace accord.

Colombia Conflict

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Invest in our military relationship

By Craig Faller

Hemispheric and global security benefit from the Colombian military’s highly skilled forces and the US-Colombia security partnership. We should build on the fundamental strengths of the US-Colombia military relationship and prioritize areas for our militaries to further enhance the relationship in the ever-changing global security environment.

Colombia Conflict

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Prioritize comprehensive security assistance

By David H. Petraeus

There is no country better positioned to stand by Colombia than the United States, just as there is no country in South America whose partnership is more valuable to the United States. It is time for the United States to translate that reality into coherent, comprehensive, and committed action.

Colombia Conflict
Cartagena

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Look to the new Colombia

By P. Michael McKinley

Revitalizing the US partnership with Colombia based on a shared vision of a more prosperous, equal, and greener future seems like a more solid foundation for building out the next two hundred years of diplomatic ties than simply recycling the past.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Build on shared global priorities

By Carolina Barco

As we celebrate the bicentennial of the US-Colombia relationship, we should focus on what lies ahead. Now is the time to develop new approaches and responses that will lead to more just, prosperous, and inclusive societies that can rebuild trust and confidence in our governments, democracies, and the ideals of freedom and the rule of law.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Counter new strategic challenges

By Senator Roy Blunt

As the US faces significant global challenges and an era of great power competition, our alliance with Colombia has become increasingly important for safeguarding democratic values and regional stability.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Construct the road ahead together

By Senator Ben Cardin

The US alliance with Colombia is rooted in our shared values of democracy, transparency, and accountability. We can celebrate this year’s bicentennial by reinvigorating bilateral, bipartisan, and bicameral support for the US-Colombia partnership to ensure our region’s stability and continued prosperity.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Embrace our shared future

By President Bill Clinton

Colombians have come too far to give up on better tomorrows and brighter futures for their children. The United States must stand with them.

Colombia Latin America

EnergySource

May 6, 2022

Colombia can lead the energy transition in Latin America

By Juan Gomez

Colombia's geography gives it a chance to take a leadership role in Latin America's energy transition. But to do so, Colombian leaders will first need to address indigenous concerns, remove barriers to investment, and fix long-standing mismanagement issues.

Colombia Energy & Environment
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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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