A Republican congresswoman predicts a period of greater cooperation between the U.S. and the future government of Colombia

Washington.- Republican congresswoman for the state of Florida (USA) Maria Elvira Salazar predicted this Wednesday that a new stage of greater collaboration and aid is opening between the USA and the future government of the president-elect of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella.

“The relationship between the new De la Espriella administration and the United States government will mean that Colombia will have the greatest amount of aid possible,” the congresswoman stated in response to media questions after a hearing she convened under the name ‘A new beginning for Colombia’.

Salazar, who recalled the friendship that has united her for years with De la Espriella since he was a voter in her district in Florida, highlighted that the president-elect of Colombia is “an ally of the United States” and with whom she shares “the same values of security and freedom.”

The U.S. relationship with Colombia under the new government

After insisting on the collaboration that is opening up with President Donald Trump’s administration, he explained some specific aspects such as the defense aid that Colombia needs: “75% of the Colombian military’s helicopters do not take off, even though they have a guerrilla movement and drug trafficking that is flourishing.”

Salazar considered that the next four years of the De la Espriella Government are “the best news for Colombians,” especially “for the normal citizen who just wants to stay in their country and progress for themselves, their family, and their country.”

The Republican congresswoman congratulated her “Colombian brothers” as she considers that they “chose the path of prosperity”.

Trump’s support for de la Espriella

During the election campaign, Trump publicly expressed his support for De la Espriella, the far-right candidate who defeated the leftist Iván Cepeda in the elections on June 21st.

De la Espriella will assume the Presidency on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, who has refused to acknowledge his electoral victory and has maintained a tense relationship with the Trump Administration.

In recent years, Washington removed Colombia from the list of countries cooperating in the fight against drug trafficking and sanctioned Petro by accusing him of maintaining ties to drug trafficking due to the increase in cocaine production, accusations that the outgoing president has rejected.