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The president of the Congress of Colombia, Honorio Henríquez, asked the Government to explain the presence of U.S. uniformed people in the country, who will participate in military exercises until November 11, and to determine whether they are in accordance with constitutional and legal procedures, with a Senate authorization.
The legislator noted that there are concerns among several congressmen about the assistance, advice and presence of foreign military personnel. «What is the purpose, the presence of cooperation, and I am talking about the Government of the United States, that of Israel in this case, so that we can all be calm about whether or not the Senate is required to approve,» Henríquez said in an intervention to his colleagues on Wednesday.
The request is made after the U.S. Southern Command announced the dispatch of about 350 military personnel to Colombia to participate in joint exercises with more than 400 Colombian soldiers, in a maneuvers that will take place from Friday to November 11.
Do you need permission from the Senate?
The President of Congress said that, in his view, the training activities carried out under cooperation agreements do not require the authorization of the Senate, while the transit of troops, even within the national territory and when armed, does need the support of that corporation.
He therefore proposed to invite the holder of Defense, Jorge Eduardo Mora, to a session or to visit the Ministry to receive the corresponding explanations and to fulfil the responsibilities of the Legislative.
«The most clear of the one and the other is the Ministry of Defence,» the senator said, who insisted on the need for congressmen to know the details of military activities.
Colombia's military cooperation with the US.
The Colombian Army noted that the days will be held in the military fort of Tolemaida, in the municipality of Nile, department of Cundinamarca (center), and will include the exchange of tactics and procedures between units of both countries to strengthen their ability to operate together.
According to the Military Forces, these exercises have been held since 2021 in Chile, Brazil, Peru and Colombia, «consolidating themselves as a space for exchange of experiences and strengthening the professional capacities of the participating armies.».
Military cooperation is also part of the approach between Bogotá and Washington since Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella took power on August 7, with security and the fight against drug trafficking as the axes of the bilateral agenda.
The president formalized Colombia's accession to the Escudo de las Americas, an initiative promoted by the US President, Donald Trump, to strengthen regional cooperation against drug trafficking and criminal organizations.
