US pledges $1bn to Colombia as Trump-backed President Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in

Panama’s newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, used his maiden address to declare an “all‑out war” against what he termed “narco‑terrorism.” Speaking before a joint session of Congress and a crowd of dignitaries, Espriella framed drug‑related violence as a national security threat that demands immediate and comprehensive action, positioning the fight against organized crime as the cornerstone of his administration’s agenda.

In outlining his strategy, Espriella announced the creation of a unified command center to coordinate police, military, and intelligence assets, as well as a substantial increase in budgetary allocations for border surveillance, forensic laboratories, and community outreach programs. He pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Colombia, Costa Rica and the United States, emphasizing intelligence sharing and joint operations to dismantle transnational trafficking networks. The president concluded by asserting that the government will pursue legal reforms and social initiatives aimed at eradicating the socioeconomic conditions that enable narco‑terrorism, signaling a sustained, multi‑faceted campaign for the country’s security.