US, Colombia agree to boost security ties

CARTAGENA, Colombia - The United States and Colombia agreed on Sunday to boost security cooperation in the Western Hemisphere and West Africa.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the sixth Summit of the Americas, US President Barack Obama and his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos agreed to deepen coordination of ongoing security cooperation activities throughout the hemisphere and West Africa.

US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Colombian singer Shakira during a ceremony in San Pedro Square in Cartagena, April 15, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The move came in response to increasing insecurity generated by transnational organized crime and will take the form of a US- Colombia Action Plan on Regional Security Cooperation, the two sides said in a joint press release.

Colombia has been hailed as a model as the country is emerging from decades of devastating guerrilla, drug and political violence, with the help of the United States.

"This new plan paves the way for future cooperation through a strategic and formal partnership," the press release said. " Accordingly, coordinated Colombian and US law enforcement and defense support can more effectively counter the threats of transnational organized crime and strengthen partner institutions. "

Under the plan, the two countries will focus on four key areas for expanded collaboration in line with hemispheric citizen security goals and priorities -- combating crime, narco- trafficking, strengthening institutions and fostering resilient communities.

"Both countries will develop complementary security assistance programs and operational efforts to support hemispheric and international partner nations afflicted by effects of transnational organized crime," the joint press release said, noting Washington and Bogota have offered direct operational support and indirect capacity building efforts to countries throughout the hemisphere and West Africa.

Drug trafficking was on the top agenda of the two-day sixth Summit of the Americas, which brought together 31 hemispheric leaders and concluded on Sunday afternoon.