LatinNews Daily - 30 March 2026

*Colombia’s government has signed off on Col$13tn (US$3.54bn) in spending to modernise the country’s security forces. The figure was described as “unprecedented” by the national planning department (DNP)’s national economic and social policy council (Conpes), which drew up the spending plan. The army will receive Col$5.8tn, the navy Col$3.4tn, the national police Col$2.3tn, and the air force Col$1.3tn. The announcement concludes an eight-month process which included intelligence assessments and threat analysis, according to the DNP. Spending priorities include the acquisition of new military transport aircraft for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment; aircraft for maritime surveillance; and helicopters and other aerial equipment to improve operational capacity against armed groups and drug traffickers in remote areas. Planned naval spending includes the strengthening of patrols along the country’s coastline and rivers. The DNP also highlighted plans to acquire new armoured vehicles for use by the army and police. The approval of the spending plan comes after President Gustavo Petro had criticised Conpes on 23 March for holding up his modernisation plan for the armed forces. Petro’s criticism followed the crashing of a military transport plane that day, which killed 69 security personnel.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 203 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

• Subscribe
• Sign up for a one-time, 14-day trial