Colombia has agreed to purchase 17 Swedish warplanes from Saab in a $4.3 billion deal, President Gustavo Petro announced. This development comes as the country is embroiled in tension with the United States. The acquisition of the Gripen fighter jets was initially announced in April, but the number of planes and the cost were not disclosed at the time.
The move is seen as a significant development in the region, where Colombia and other Latin American countries are on high alert due to a US military campaign targeting alleged drug-running boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. President Petro, who is Colombia’s first leftist president, has been critical of the US deployment, suggesting that its ultimate goal is to seize Venezuela’s oil wealth and destabilize the region.
The new fighter jets are expected to be used to deter aggression against Colombia, according to Petro. He emphasized that in a complex geopolitical landscape, threats can emerge from anywhere. The acquisition of the warplanes is also seen as a response to the US withdrawal of financial aid from Colombia and its removal from the list of countries considered allies in the fight against drug trafficking.
The deal with Saab was finalized after US and French firms also attempted to sell warplanes to Colombia. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is close to Petro, has also accused the US of seeking to oust him through its military deployment in the region. The purchase of the Swedish warplanes is a significant development in the region’s security landscape and is likely to have implications for the ongoing tensions between Colombia, the US, and Venezuela.
The acquisition of the Gripen fighter jets is part of Colombia’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and respond to emerging threats in the region. The deal is also a significant boost for Saab, which has been competing with other major defense contractors for market share in the region. As the situation in the region continues to unfold, the implications of Colombia’s purchase of the Swedish warplanes will be closely watched by regional and international observers.