More than 300 US military personnel to arrive in Colombia for anti-drug training

Over 300 U.S. military personnel are set to arrive in Colombia for anti-drug training exercises, confirmed by U.S. Southern Command and Colombia's Ministry of Defense. The joint exercise, named Southern Vanguard, will occur at Tolemaida military base from October 30 to November 11, 2026. This deployment aligns with President Trump's strategy to enhance U.S. military presence in Latin America. The training aims to improve cooperation between U.S. and Colombian forces in combating drug trafficking and other regional threats. However, the presence of U.S. troops has sparked legal debates regarding congressional authorization and concerns over past incidents involving U.S. servicemembers. The Colombian government has not yet sought legislative approval for these training activities.