US gifts $1bn to Colombia on new right-wing president's first day of office

The US has pledged £1bn in assistance to Colombia, after the country's new right-wing president was sworn in on Friday.Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella used his maiden speech to promise an "all-out war" on what he calls "narco-terrorism".In a statement hailing a "new era in US-Colombia relations", the US State Department announced the financial support as part of a "security package" to help de la Espriella achieve "our shared goals", which include fighting organised crime and illegal immigration.The new president's inauguration marks a dramatic shift to the right for Colombia, as he replaces the left-wing former leader Gustavo Petro, who frequently clashed with Trump.Trump endorsed de la Espriella during the election, and said he predicted a "much better relationship" with his new counterpart after his victory in June.A US delegation led by then-acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has since been confirmed to the post, attended the inauguration. It was also attended by embattled Fifa president Gianni Infantino.De la Espriella chose to take the oath of office not in Colombia's capital, Bogotá, but in the volatile city of Cali, in the west. The change was intended to signal a tough approach to illegal armed groups operating in the region.In his fiery maiden speech - addressing troops at a nearby military base - de la Espriella pledged to crush armed insurgents, rebuild Colombia and defend democracy "by reason or by force".