Colombia spy chief confirms cooperation with CIA despite dispute

Colombia's intelligence chief confirmed on Friday that collaboration with the CIA and other U.S. agencies remains fully active, despite a recent public clash between the Colombian and U.S. presidents. Jorge Lemus, director of the National Intelligence Directorate, emphasized in an uncommon interview that intelligence ties with the United States have not been disrupted.

Recent decades have seen close security coordination between Colombia and the U.S., but relations were strained last month when Washington imposed sanctions on President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of supporting drug trafficking. Petro retaliated by condemning U.S. actions in the Caribbean and initially suggested Colombia might halt intelligence sharing, a stance later softened by his advisors.

Lemuss statements are the first senior-level confirmation that operational cooperation continues without interruption. He highlighted Colombia's ongoing efforts, noting that 10,000 cocaine labs had been dismantled this year, often through joint operations with U.S. partners. Analysts have warned that any breakdown in intelligence collaboration could lead to a spike in cocaine exports and empower criminal organizations.

Former Colombian military and intelligence leaders called Petros initial threat to cut intelligence ties illogical. A former U.S. intelligence official added that Colombian human intelligence frequently supports U.S. surveillance and satellite operations.

Lemus stated, Cooperation continues not only with the CIA but with all U.S. intelligence agencies. The coordination remains fully operational. We continue exactly as before. Ultimately, we are united against drug trafficking.

Lemus, a former guerrilla appointed by Petro earlier this year, faces challenges within his agency, including allegations that a senior operative assisted guerrilla groups in obtaining weapons and evading detection. The operative, Wilmar Mejia, has been suspended pending investigation. Lemus defended Mejias record, suggesting the allegations could be fabricated.

Reports in local media claimed Mejia collaborated with a FARC splinter group to create a security company enabling covert transportation of arms. Petro dismissed these reports as false, hinting at CIA involvement. Lemus denied U.S. intelligence participation and suggested the president may have received inaccurate information, stating, No, we don't support this claim, and the president is aware it originates from other sources.

Analysis: Continuity in Colombia-U.S. Intelligence Cooperation

From my perspective, the recent statements by Jorge Lemus clarify the operational reality behind the public tensions between Colombia and the United States. Despite prior rhetoric from President Gustavo Petro suggesting a potential halt in intelligence sharing, Lemus confirms that collaboration with the CIA and all U.S. intelligence agencies remains uninterrupted.

This sustained cooperation is critical given the ongoing fight against drug trafficking. Lemus emphasized that Colombian authorities have dismantled 10,000 cocaine labs this year, often in joint operations with U.S. partners. A disruption in intelligence collaboration, experts warn, could lead to a rise in cocaine exports and embolden criminal networks.

While internal agency challenges persist, including the suspension of operative Wilmar Mejia over alleged links to guerrilla groups, Lemus defended his team’s integrity and stressed that U.S. intelligence has no involvement in the controversy. Overall, the situation demonstrates that operational priorities continue to override political disputes, maintaining Colombia-U.S. security coordination at a functional level.

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• Colombia spy chief says working 'hand in hand' with CIA despite row