Hegseth says Colombia's new president has requested US collaboration in anti-drug efforts
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested U.S. collaboration in military operations against narco-terrorism.
- Colombia will join the 'Shield of the Americas' initiative, becoming its 19th member.
- Hegseth stated that Colombia has authorized joint military operations to destroy terrorist networks.
- The conservative leader de la Espriella has previously expressed support for joining U.S. initiatives against drug cartels.
- Hegseth urged Latin American countries not to recognize the International Criminal Court.
PANAMA CITY (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said the recently inaugurated government of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested U.S. collaboration in joint military operations in Colombia to combat “narco-terrorism.”
During a meeting of the so-called Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition in Panama, Hegseth said Colombia would also join the “Shield of the Americas” initiative, becoming its 19th member.
The government of de la Espriella, who was sworn in last week and is known as “The Tiger” or “El Tigre,” did not immediately comment on the announcement in Panama. But the conservative leader has previously said his administration would join the U.S. initiative.
Separately, Hegseth urged the Latin American countries at the meeting not to recognize the International Criminal Court, or ICC.
赫格塞斯表示哥伦比亚新总统请求美国合作打击毒品
巴拿马城（美联社）——美国国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯周三表示，哥伦比亚新总统阿贝拉多·德拉埃斯普里埃拉的政府请求美国合作进行联合军事行动，以打击“毒品恐怖主义”。
在巴拿马举行的美洲反毒品卡特尔联盟会议上，赫格塞斯表示，哥伦比亚还将加入“美洲防护盾”倡议，成为第19个成员。
德拉埃斯普里埃拉的政府上周宣誓就职，他被称为“老虎”或“El Tigre”，但未立即对巴拿马的公告作出评论。不过，这位保守派领导人此前曾表示他的政府将加入美国的倡议。
此外，赫格塞斯在会议上呼吁拉美国家不要承认国际刑事法院（ICC）。