Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said his country will formally join NATO as a "global partner" in the coming week, becoming the only Latin American nation in the alliance, Reuters reported May 26.
Colombia will cooperate with NATO's other 29 nations on global security areas such as cyber and maritime security, terrorism and links to organized crime but will not necessarily have to take part in military action, the report said, and will be fully accredited in Brussels.
The announcement came just hours after the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development approved Colombia as a new member.
NATO reached a partnership agreement with Colombia in May 2017, after the organization signed a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Colombia will hold an election May 27 to choose a successor to Santos, who is constitutionally limited to two terms as president.
