US has pledged $1 billion to Colombia, and it’s hours after their new right-wing populist president was sworn inThe United States has officially pledged $1 billion to Colombia, a massive financial commitment that arrived just hours after the country’s new right-wing populist president was sworn into office, the BBC reported. Recommended VideosPresident Abelardo de la Espriella, a lawyer and millionaire businessman, has wasted no time in establishing his hardline approach. In contrast, de la Espriella is leaning heavily into a security-first model, drawing comparisons to the crackdowns seen in El Salvador and Ecuador. As one of his first official acts, the new president announced that Colombia would join the Shield of the Americas security partnership founded by Trump. The inauguration ceremony itself featured high-profile guests, including US Attorney General Todd Blanche and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.