The United States has included Colombia within the so-called “Greater North America” security perimeter, a decision that expands its zone of strategic interest and redefines the role of the South American country in the hemispheric defense architecture, after more than a year of gradual distancing between Bogota and Washington.
In this sense, the White House announcement marks a concrete shift in the way Washington conceives its security boundaries, extending them beyond its territory and beyond countries in the hemisphere with more aligned governments.
The measure places Colombia in a position closer to the core of U.S. military and security priorities. In practice, it implies greater coordination on sensitive issues such as the fight against drug trafficking, the control of migration flows, and the containment of transnational threats, at a time of changes in the regional geopolitical balance.
US includes Colombia in the ‘Greater North America’ security perimeter
The concept of “Greater North America” reflects a strategic vision that seeks to integrate countries located north of the equator within a single security framework. Under this logic, the United States no longer views its defense as a strictly national matter or one limited to its immediate borders, but rather projects it onto a broader, interconnected geographic space.
Colombia’s inclusion within this perimeter means the country comes to be considered part of that first line of security. It is not merely a traditional alliance, but a deeper integration into mechanisms of cooperation in intelligence, operations, and strategic planning.
This approach is based on a clear premise: today’s threats do not recognize territorial boundaries. Drug trafficking, organized crime networks, human trafficking, and irregular migration flows move across multiple countries, requiring coordinated responses on a regional scale.
The presentation of this new conceptual and strategic framework took place at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida, during a meeting with defense ministers from the Western Hemisphere held on March 5.
During his remarks, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth explained that the strategic vision extends from Greenland to the Gulf of America—Gulf of Mexico, in traditional terminology—and the Panama Canal. He indicated that this approach encompasses countries bordering the North Atlantic or the North Pacific and located north of certain geographic barriers.
“When terrorists, murderers, and cartels take over strategic infrastructure, resources, and entire cities near U.S. borders and coastlines, or benefit from massive illegal migration, that represents a threat to U.S. national security and also to all of you, to the Americas,” Hegseth said at the event earlier this month.
Implications for Colombia
The decision comes at a time of adjustment in the relationship between Washington and Bogota. Although both countries maintain a historic security alliance, deep differences emerged over the past year regarding drug policy, the approach to armed groups, and the role of the military.
However, following the visit of Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House in early February, relations between the two countries got back on track. However, this inclusion appears to be unrelated to local governments’ sympathies or antipathies toward Washington, as it also includes countries such as Cuba and Nicaragua, with which the United States maintains complex relations.
All of this comes as the United States intensifies its interest in strengthening its influence in the region. The growing presence of actors such as China and Russia in Latin America, along with the persistence of illegal economies, has led Washington to rethink its hemispheric strategy.
In this context, Colombia holds a key position. Its geographic location, its role in drug trafficking routes, and its experience in military cooperation make it a strategic partner that is difficult to replace.
Colombia’s inclusion in this perimeter could translate into increased military and intelligence cooperation with the United States. This could involve more information sharing, joint training, and potentially greater logistical support in operations against criminal networks.
It also opens the door to a greater U.S. presence in security matters within the country, an issue that has historically sparked debate in Colombia. For some sectors, this relationship strengthens state capabilities; for others, it raises questions about sovereignty and autonomy.