"The Colombian government on Sunday launched the National Anti-Drone Shield Project, described as 'one of the boldest and most innovative strategies' to safeguard the country’s airspace. The project was presented in Bogota by Defence Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez, who said it aims to curb the use of drones by armed groups. “This project, valued at 6.2 trillion pesos, seeks to protect our nation against a new challenge posed by drones and their use by hostile actors,” the minister said. He added that the initiative “aims to guarantee control of our airspace, because otherwise we will lose many lives.” President Gustavo Petro has allocated 1 trillion pesos for the first phase of the project. According to Sanchez, the plan is built around three core pillars: legislation and doctrine; training and operations; and technology. The multidisciplinary strategy also involves the Armed Forces and the National Police. On 29 December, President Petro ordered the defence ministry to procure anti-drone systems worth 13 trillion pesos to counter threats from terrorist organisations. The project's timeline was reportedly accelerated due to the geopolitical instability in the region in early 2026, including US military actions in neighbouring Venezuela and subsequent tensions regarding Colombian sovereignty."