US Gives Colombia Major Non-NATO Ally Status
Colombian President Iván Duque met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on March 10 to discuss the future of U.S.-Colombia relations, migration, and security cooperation. After their meeting, Biden announced that the U.S. would grant Colombia major non-NATO ally status, in a move that will strengthen military and economic ties between the two countries — though it does not provide security guarantees like those extended to NATO members.
There are currently over a dozen countries designated as major non-NATO allies, including Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Tunisia, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Kuwait, the Philippines and, most recently, Qatar.
The meeting between Biden and Duque came as the U.S. is looking to shore up international relations amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Colombia is seen as a key player in the Latin American region.
“This is a recognition of the unique and close relationship between our countries,” Biden stated to reporters following the closed-door talks. “Colombia is the lynchpin, in my view, to the whole hemisphere — north and south.”
Days before Duque’s visit to Washington reports circulated of secret negotiations between senior U.S. officials and representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — who is not officially recognized by the U.S. and is perceived as Russia’s greatest regional ally. Venezuela released two American detainees shortly after, suggesting tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. may be thawing. This development reportedly raised concerns in Colombia, which has tense relations with Venezuela.
Nonetheless, there were no signs of discord between Duque and Biden during their public remarks. Biden went on to thank Duque for Colombia’s swift condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying Moscow’s actions are “not just a threat to Europe and Ukraine” but a “threat to international stability.”
The U.S. and Colombia have maintained diplomatic ties for 200 years. In a joint statement, Biden and Duque agreed to work on a more “holistic” approach to counternarcotics strategies and efforts to block money laundering. Biden also pledged to donate an additional two million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Colombia.
In regards to issues surrounding migration, the discussion was expected to cover ways to provide support for countries that welcome large numbers of migrants and expand legal pathways for migrants. Moreover, Biden and Duque said they would work toward signing a regional migration agreement at the Summit of the Americas that will be held in June in Los Angeles. The U.S. and Colombia already work closely on immigration, counter-narcotics, and counter-terrorism. The U.S. government has provided more than $10 billion in aid to the country since 2000.
“Our hemisphere migration challenges cannot be solved by one nation or any one border. We have to work together,” Biden said during the public portion of the meeting.
