The United States and Colombia established diplomatic relations after Colombia’s Independence from Spain in 1822. Colombia is a moderate income country and one of Latin America’s oldest democracies. Colombia has experienced more than half a century of conflict with illegal armed groups, including Marxist guerillas and transnational criminal organizations involved in illegal drug trafficking. The Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia declared that they had reached a final peace accord on August of 2016 after four years of negotiations. Long-term U.S. interests in Colombia include promoting security, prosperity and good governance.
Colombia and the US have not always been on the best of terms. One article states, “Although Colombia and the United States had cordial and friendly relations during the nineteenth century, relations were strained during the first two decades of the twentieth century as a result of the involvement of President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration in the Panama revolt” (Relations). Despite the economy, economic connections with the United States were of the most importance to Colombia in the early twentieth century. The United States was the most significant market for Colombia’s leading export and source of revenue, which was coffee.
Colombia’s National Consolidation Plan Colombia’s Victims and Land Restitution Law seeks to provide reparations and assistance to more than seven million registered victims of conflict, nearly six million of whom have been internally displaced. U.S. policy supports the Colombian government’s efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions, promote respect for human rights and the rule of law, foster socio-economic development, address immediate humanitarian needs, and end the threats to democracy posed by narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
The United States and Colombia have many signed agreements on trade, environmental protection, asset sharing, chemical control, ship-boarding, renewable and clean energy, science and technology, and civil aviation.
The U.S. government supports Colombian efforts to transition from conflict towards peace by working in the most conflictive and non maintenance rural areas of Colombia, where violence, and the absence of licit economic opportunities have historically come together. One article states, “U.S. programs provide support for: the implementation of Colombian government reforms in land restitution; reparations for victims and vulnerable populations, including ethnic communities; public and private investments, in particular to foster a vibrant rural economy; reintegration of ex-combatants; promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law; protection of vulnerable citizens (such as human rights and labor activists).” (U.S. Relations). Some programs also address global climate change and environmental issues in one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world.
The United States is Colombia’s largest trade partner. The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which entered into force in May 2012, aims to improve the investment environment, get rid of tariffs and other barriers to U.S. exports, expand trade, and support economic growth in both countries. Primary U.S. exports to Colombia include oil, machinery, agricultural products, and organic chemicals. Predominant U.S. imports from Colombia include crude oil, gold, coffee, and cut flowers. One article explains, “Approximately 250 U.S. businesses conduct operations in Colombia. U.S. direct investment in Colombia is primarily concentrated in the mining and manufacturing sectors” (DeRaymond).
Colombia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Colombia is in the process of joining the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.