United States pledges one billion dollars to Colombia's new president

The US has offered Colombia one billion dollars in security aid. The announcement came on Friday, when right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella became the country's new president. The money still needs approval from the US Congress.

In his first speech as president, de la Espriella promised a full military campaign against drug cartels. He is a close ally of Donald Trump and ran on similar policies. He also said Colombia will join a US-backed regional security group called the Shield of the Americas.

De la Espriella replaces left-wing president Gustavo Petro, who preferred to negotiate with armed groups rather than fight them. The new president also plans to cut government spending by up to 40 percent and restore ties with Israel.