Colombia is preparing to restart its aerial spraying of herbicides to combat coca crops, a practice that was halted over a decade ago. The initial phase of spraying, planned for 1,000 hectares in Putumayo—a region near the border with Ecuador—was quickly halted on September 11 by a local judge. The judge evaluated the health and environmental risks of the herbicide chosen by the government: ammonium glufosinate, a substance that has raised concerns among environmental and health advocates. The decision to resume spraying came after a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Colombia, signaling a renewed push for closer cooperation with the United States in regional security matters. The move is part of a broader effort to reinforce Colombia's position in the Americas Shield, a coalition of 19 countries formed under U.S. leadership to combat narcoterrorism. This initiative aligns with a shift in Colombia’s political landscape. After years of strained relations between Colombia’s first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, the current administration is led by Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right lawyer. De la Espriella has pledged to restore the strong U.S.-Colombia alliance, which has historically provided Colombia with substantial financial support in its fight against drug trafficking. For El Nuevo Siglo, a Colombian newspaper, this strategy represents a positive development. The paper reported in late August that the return of a more aggressive approach against armed groups has already resulted in casualties, highlighting the increased intensity of security operations. This comes amid broader changes in Colombia’s diplomatic and military strategies, with de la Espriella making a significant shift in foreign policy shortly after an earthquake struck the country. Additionally, de la Espriella has announced plans to invest in a "tropical White House," a new administrative center located far from the capital, Bogota, indicating a vision for a more centralized and strategic governance model.