Colombian President Gustavo Petro has confirmed that his government has finalised a $4.3 billion agreement with Swedish defence manufacturer Saab for the purchase of 17 Gripen fighter jets, marking one of the country’s largest military acquisitions in recent years.
While Bogotá first disclosed plans in April to procure aircraft from Saab, it did not previously specify the number of jets or the total cost. Petro announced the details on Friday during an event at a military base, describing the purchase as essential for safeguarding national security.
The agreement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Colombia and the United States, driven by a US-led military campaign targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Petro has repeatedly criticised the operation, alleging that it is part of a broader strategy by Washington to interfere in Latin America and exert control over Venezuela’s oil resources.
Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president and an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump, reiterated that the new jets would help deter “aggression against Colombia, wherever it may come from,” adding that global instability requires nations to be prepared for threats from any direction.
Relations between Petro and Trump have been openly hostile. Trump has labelled Petro “an illegal drug leader” over Colombia’s persistent cocaine production and has revoked US financial aid to the country, removing Colombia from its list of key partners in combating drug trafficking.
Colombia’s decision to choose Saab came after competing bids from US and French manufacturers. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Petro, has also criticised Washington’s military posture in the region.
Turkey Pushes for Co-Presidency Model as Dispute With Australia Stalls COP31 Host Decision
Turkey has reaffirmed its support for a co-presidency arrangement with Australia for hosting COP31, though it remains prepared to organise the climate summit alone if negotiations fail, according to a senior Turkish official.
The official, speaking to AFP, said Ankara remains committed to “good-faith consultations” aimed at ensuring the success of COP31. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently restated this position in his correspondence with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The stalemate persists as world leaders concluded a high-level meeting on November 6–7 at the launch of COP30. Neither Erdoğan nor Albanese attended the summit, with Turkey represented by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Australia by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Brazil has appointed a mediator to help resolve the dispute, but diplomats say little progress has been made ahead of the summit’s scheduled conclusion on November 21.
Some analysts say Turkey’s close ties with Russia and Saudi Arabia—countries frequently criticised for slowing global climate negotiations—could make its bid less appealing to some parties.
Ankara has framed its candidacy as a call for unity, emphasising that COP31 should prioritise the world’s most vulnerable regions, with potential special sessions dedicated to Pacific concerns.
“Turkey will continue to act on the principles of cooperation and inclusiveness rather than competition in combating climate change,” the Turkish official said, urging all parties to advance discussions “on the basis of constructive dialogue and mutual respect.”
