Analysts: Colombia joining NATO beneficial to the country

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NATO membership could help Colombia in its peace building process, in its ongoing drug wars, and in border security,according to a Colombian political analyst.

When commenting on Colombia's recent admission into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as "global partner", Camilo Ospina explained, "It doesn’t mean we need to send soldiers, nor participate in the building of military equipment. What it means from a global standpoint is that we are a strategic partner in a very specific region of the world.”

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the decision at the North Atlantic alliance headquarters in Belgium at the end of May.

"Colombia is the first country of Latin America to have this relation with NATO and it is an enormous privilege and we thank you Secretary,” said Santos.

President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos speaks at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (not seen) in Brussels, Belgium, May 31, 2018. /VCG Photo

With NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at his side, Santos explained that as a “global partner", Colombia will not have to engage in military action, but will benefit from the shared military knowledge.

The partnership aims at promoting cooperation on global security issues like cyber and maritime security, terrorism, and organized crime.

Other global partners include Australia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, and Pakistan.

The announcement comes at a time when the Trump administration has challenged NATO unity on issues such as the Iran nuclear deal and financial contributions made by member states.

General Jaime Ruiz, president of Colombia's Association of Retired Army Officials commented this was good news for Colombia. "This means we have the participation of other countries in any security or defense situation that we may need,” he added.

(Cover photo: President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos (L) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R) hold a joint press conference in Brussels, Belgium, May 31, 2018. /VCG Photo)