Colombia will receive 15% less military and narcotics aid from the United States in 2013, according to the White House.
It will receive $30 million in aid from the U.S. in the 2013 fiscal year, $7 million less than that received in 2012.
Barack Obama announced the reduction in a 2013 budget presentation to Congress Monday.
According to the U.S. Department of State, “As Colombia takes more responsibility for counternarcotics and security efforts, we are reducing our support levels below those of the 2012 federal budget.”
Colombia has received a total of approximately $7 billion in U.S. aid since the beginning of “Plan Colombia” in which the U.S. supported Colombia’s fight against leftist insurgency groups and drug trafficking. The U.S. has lowered aid since 2008 when a financial crisis forced Washington to cut spending.
