US and Colombia establish joint anti-narcotics unit within CTI of Attorney General's Office
Washington and Bogotá signed a memorandum to establish a transnational unit against drug trafficking, smuggling and illegal mining. HSI will lead the new structure within the CTI.
Binational unit established within CTI to combat organised crime
The United States and Colombia formalised a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, 30 September to establish a Transnational Criminal Investigation Unit within the Technical Investigation Body (CTI) of the Attorney General's Office, according to infobae.com. The new structure will be accredited by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
According to the United States Embassy in Colombia, the mechanism seeks to expand joint investigative capacity and deepen operational cooperation against transnational organised crime. One of the unit's priority focuses will be investigations into illicit migrant trafficking.
The diplomatic mission clarified on its social networks that the alliance also aims to strengthen actions against smuggling, arms trafficking, illegal mining, money laundering, human trafficking and drug trafficking. "Together we make a safer region for our two countries," the embassy stated in its X account.
A second HSI-accredited unit in Colombia
According to the official statement, HSI already operates an accredited unit alongside Colombia's National Police. The creation of this second structure, now within the CTI, extends US investigative cooperation to another of the country's main criminal investigation institutions, which will make it possible to address threats from different institutional fronts.
Representatives from the Attorney General's Office, the CTI, HSI and the United States Embassy participated in the signing ceremony.
The interim United States minister-counsellor, Michael Schreuder, emphasised the transborder dimension of the problem. "These networks do not respect borders. They exploit vulnerable people, mobilise illicit goods, launder criminal profits and undermine security across the region. Facing this challenge requires reliable partnerships, shared capacities and coordinated action. This is exactly what today's agreement represents," the official stated.
The embassy's statement indicated that the memorandum is based on years of cooperation between Colombian and United States authorities, on the basis of common objectives in security and justice.
Context: De la Espriella government offensive against crime
The signing of the agreement comes as part of President Abelardo de la Espriella's security policy, who has driven a push by the security forces against criminal organisations and illegal economies. "Head on, without fear and with all the legitimate force of the State," the president declared when referring to his strategy.
De la Espriella has also stated that he will not allow criminal organisations to exercise territorial control. "I said it and I am keeping it: I will not allow mafias, narco-terrorists and criminal structures to continue imposing their law in Colombia," emphasised the head of state.
In recent operational reports, the Government reported 47 arrests in the departments of Norte de Santander, Nariño and Magdalena, the seizure of 5,000 blasting caps in Ipiales and the destruction of 21 dredgers used in illegal mining. The Presidency indicated that these operations are part of a policy aimed at recovering territorial control and guaranteeing the rule of law throughout the country.
Source: Google News CO — Crime