Biden tightens ties with Colombia

President Joe Biden tightened relations with Colombia on Thursday by designating the South American country a "major non-NATO ally" of the United States, opening the door to closer military and commercial ties.

The US president, seated opposite his Colombian counterpart President Ivan Duque and surrounded by ministers and senior officials from both countries, described Colombia as an "essential" partner of the United States. 

He called Colombia a "keystone" for economic development and the defence of democracy in South America, and thanked Duque for "condemning immediately" Russia's invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago.

Duque said the designation was "taking the bilateral relationship to (its) highest" level ever and expressed his gratitude for US cooperation in the fight against Covid-19 in particular.

The title of "major non-NATO ally" (MNNA) is a legal qualification the United States has granted to some 15 countries. 

It allows for access to certain defence and trade privileges, but unlike NATO membership, does not guarantee military protection by the United States.

The two leaders did not publicly touch on an issue that could dampen the mutual appreciation: a potential thaw in the relationship between the United States and Colombia's neighbour Venezuela.

Bogota has a highly strained relationship with Caracas -- a regional ally of Russia, which has been hit with international censure and sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

The White House does not recognize the 2018 re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but a recent high-level US visit to Caracas, followed by the release of two American detainees in the country, appeared to mark a turning point.

As Washington looks for ways to replace Russian oil imports -- banned over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine -- the White House has confirmed "energy security" was on the agenda of talks in Caracas, fueling speculation it might again start importing Venezuelan oil, under US embargo since 2019.