Bogotá,
The United States and Colombia have agreed to strengthen cooperation against armed guerrilla groups operating along the Colombia–Venezuela border, Colombian officials have said, following a high-level phone conversation between the two countries’ presidents.
Colombia’s Interior Minister Armando Benedetti said left-wing President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump had committed to “joint action” targeting the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country’s last major active guerrilla organisation. The group is accused by Bogotá of involvement in cocaine trafficking, kidnappings and attacks on Colombian security forces.
The agreement was reached during the leaders’ first direct phone call since recent tensions escalated after US forces removed Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. The call appears to have eased strained relations, which had intensified after Washington threatened military measures against Colombia during the regional fallout.
According to Benedetti, President Petro asked for US support in launching tougher operations against the ELN, particularly in border areas where the group is believed to retreat after carrying out attacks inside Colombia. Officials say the guerrillas exploit the rugged, porous frontier—stretching roughly 2,200 kilometres—to evade Colombian authorities.
The border region has long been plagued by violence linked to drug trafficking, illegal mining and smuggling. Several armed groups compete for control of lucrative routes, creating instability that has displaced civilians and strained local governance on both sides of the frontier.
The announcement also triggered reactions from other insurgent factions. Iván Mordisco, a leader of dissident remnants of the now-demobilised FARC rebel group, called on armed organisations across the region to unite against what he described as “imperialist aggression” by the United States. In a video message circulated to media outlets, he urged guerrilla commanders to coordinate their response to Washington’s growing military presence in Latin America.
Relations between Bogotá and Washington have traditionally been close, particularly in security and counter-narcotics cooperation spanning several decades. However, ties have cooled since President Trump began his second term, marked by sharp rhetoric and policy differences with Colombia’s left-leaning leadership.
Despite public exchanges in which President Trump accused Petro of links to drug trafficking—claims the Colombian government strongly denies—Petro has accepted an invitation to meet Trump in Washington, signalling an effort to stabilise bilateral relations.
Analysts say the renewed cooperation highlights shared concerns over regional security but warn that joint military action could raise diplomatic and legal challenges, especially given Venezuela’s role as a sanctuary for armed groups. Human rights organisations have also cautioned that any escalation must prioritise civilian protection and long-term development alongside security operations.
For now, officials in both capitals say the agreement reflects a mutual interest in containing cross-border violence and organised crime, even as broader geopolitical tensions continue to reshape alliances across the region.
