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

A path toward sustainable security in 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
A path toward sustainable security in Colombia

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
A path toward sustainable security in Colombia

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

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
Public Event Wed, May 20, 2026 • 12:15 pm ET

Senator Bernie Moreno on Colombia’s 2026 elections
Americas Colombia Elections Latin America

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

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

Issue Brief

Jun 12, 2026

A renewed security and cooperation agenda for Colombia’s next government

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

As Colombia heads to its presidential runoff election June 21, the next government will inherit a security crisis that requires a renewed US-Colombia agenda for dismantling criminal governance structures and the financial networks that sustain them.

Americas Colombia

Dispatches

Jun 1, 2026

Experts react: Colombia’s presidential runoff pits the far right against the far left. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda, who represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, will move ahead to the June 21 runoff.

Colombia Elections

Issue Brief

Apr 30, 2026

How Colombia can reduce security threats ahead of its presidential election

By the US–Colombia Strategic Alignment Coalition

Though Colombia's recent legislative elections were largely peaceful, the security environment has worsened in recent weeks amid death threats against candidates and escalating violence by armed groups. The upcoming weeks present a narrow, but critical, window to reduce risks ahead of the May 31 presidential election.

Americas Civil Society

Strategic Insights Memo

Apr 20, 2026

A US tech agenda focused on Latin America to outcompete China

By Samantha Wong, Ginger Matchett, Peter Engelke

Insights from on the ground in Colombia, where the United States and China's competition for influence is playing out in the tech sector, among other places. 

Artificial Intelligence China
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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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Events

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

Response and recovery priorities after Colombia’s earthquake
Americas Colombia Infrastructure Latin America