Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella took office Friday, vowing to wage war on drug-running guerrillas and usher in a new era of close ties with the United States. De la Espriella and his Vice-President Jose Manuel Restrepo cheered, embraced and performed their campaign’s characteristic military salute after taking their respective oaths. After four years of diplomatic rows with the US, President Donald Trump now has a keen ally in Bogota. The 48-year-old president, who holds dual US and Colombian citizenship, has offered to launch joint military operations and even host US troops on Colombian soil. ⁠The US State ⁠Department said on Friday that the Trump administration planned to provide US$1 billion in security assistance to the De la Espriella government.