(dpa) US President Joe Biden wants to classify Colombia as a particularly important defense partner for the United States. Granting Colombia the status of a key non-NATO ally represents “recognition of the unique and close relationship between our countries,” Biden said Thursday at the White House during a visit by his Colombian counterpart Iván Duque. The US and Colombia will continue to strengthen their cooperation to address regional and global challenges, Biden said.
The status as an important non-NATO ally gives states that do not belong to the western defense alliance simplified access to US armaments, among other things. For example, the US has classified Israel, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Japan and Argentina.