Colombia hosts US general for anti-drug talks

US Southern Command chief General Francis L. Donovan visited Bogota on Wednesday to discuss joint anti-drug operations with Colombia's new military leaders.

SOUTHCOM said Donovan travelled to Colombia to discuss efforts to combat “narco-terrorists” and strengthen the US-Colombia security partnership. The command coordinates US military operations for Latin America and the Caribbean from Florida.

President Abelardo de la Espriella took office on August 7 after campaigning on promises to break off peace talks with armed groups and confront cocaine-smuggling guerrilla factions militarily with US support.

Colombia has joined President Donald Trump's Shield of the Americas anti-cartel alliance and has authorized joint military operations with the United States against drug traffickers. Washington has announced plans to allocate $1 billion toward Colombia's security.