Joe Biden Unveils 2025 Budget Request for Foreign Aid to Colombia

United States President Joe Biden has disclosed his Budget Request for fiscal year 2025, which includes a US$413.27 million aid package for Colombia. However, this budget proposal will require approval from the U.S. Congress, a process that may result in either a reduction or an increase in the financial aid provided.

Despite a decrease in U.S. foreign aid to Colombia since 2022, when it amounted to US$463 million, Colombia continues to be the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid in the Americas.

Detailed foreign aid for Colombia

In the detailed proposed budget for Colombia, the primary financial allocation is dedicated to bilateral assistance concerning migration. Following Colombia’s commitment to address irregular migration through its endorsement of the 2022 Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, 54 percent of the 2025 U.S. foreign aid is dedicated to this purpose.

On the other hand, a reduction of the aid package for the anti-drug policies is planned, decreasing it from US$160 million to US$135 million. Similarly, the Development and Economic Assistance Fund will take a six-million-dollar cut, down to US$219 million.

Other minor packages include assistance for the Colombian military, including military training, health programs and mine clearing operations.

US – Colombia relationship

Colombia and the United States have enjoyed a special relationship since the beginning of the 20^th century, which has made Colombia a privileged ally of the U.S. in Latin America. The relationship between the two countries intensified under the presidency of President Andres Pastrana and President Bill Clinton, with the U.S. Congress’s approval in 2000 of Plan Colombia, a US$1 billion assistance plan aimed at helping Colombia defeat the far-left guerrillas.

Initially, the ties between the United States and Colombia were primarily economic and commercial, with the U.S being Colombia’s leading international investor and trade partner. However, with the initiation of Plan Colombia, the country turned into a close military ally of the U.S. in South America, even earning it the nickname “the Israel of South America”. As such, Colombia holds the status of Major U.S. Non-NATO Ally, highlighting its privileged relationship with the United States in matters of security.

According to the governmental platform ForeignAssistance.gov, U.S. foreign assistance to Colombia reached US$590 million in 2023, taking into account all forms of financial assistance delivered to the country.