Colombia's new President, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced that his country will join the US-led "Shield of the Americas" alliance.

Operativ Media reports that the head of state made the statement during his inaugural address on August 7: "One of my first duties following this ceremony will be to sign the 'Shield of the Americas' agreement. This initiative will allow us to pool our strengths, exchange strategic intelligence, and bolster the collective efforts of free nations to eliminate threats to national and regional security."

The president justified the decision by stating that Colombia, like other nations, cannot combat global criminal networks alone. He added that his administration will strengthen ties with all countries based on mutual respect, expand existing free trade agreements, and promote the signing of new ones.