Colombia and the United States have built a strong, long-standing relationship based upon respect, cooperation and common goals. Democracy, individual freedom and freedom of the press, the rule of law, economic prosperity and the expansion of opportunities for all, are values that both Colombia and the United States share.

In 1810, when Colombia declared its independence from Spain, the United States was one of the first countries to recognize the new republic and establish a resident diplomatic mission. From the Korean War, during which Colombian soldiers fought and gave their lives alongside Americans under the United Nations banner, to the current conflict in Afghanistan, where elite Colombian soldiers contribute their expertise in fighting drug trafficking and terrorism – Colombia and the United States have been allies.

There are many examples of how the two countries have been strategic partners over the years. During the 1980s, Colombia and the United States began working together to combat the scourge of illegal drugs. In the 1990s, the two nations signed important agreements on environmental protection, civil aviation, asset sharing and chemical control.  The United States and Colombia also signed an important maritime ship-boarding agreement to allow for search of suspected drug-running vessels. In 2000, the two countries launched Plan Colombia, an ambitious, bipartisan and bilateral cooperation program aimed at fighting drug trafficking and promoting alternatives to drug cultivation and production.

Today, the partnership between Colombia and the United States encompasses a broad range of issues, including:

• Hemispheric security;
• The fight against international drug trafficking;
• Anti-terrorism initiatives;
• Preservation of biodiversity and environmental protection;
• Clean energy diversification;
• Economic development and trade;
• Educational and vocational training;
• Racial and ethnic equality; and
• Cultural affairs.

The decades-long friendship that Colombia and the United States share is one that both nations are committed to maintaining and strengthening.