Colombian President Gustavo Petro has confirmed a $4.3 billion deal to purchase 17 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden’s Saab, framing the acquisition as a “deterrent weapon to achieve peace” amid rising tensions with the United States. This deal comes amid concerns over U.S. military actions in the region and accusations from Washington against both Petro and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro regarding drug trafficking. Petro emphasized that the warplanes are intended to protect Colombia from potential aggression, pointing to the complex geopolitical landscape. The purchase marks a significant deepening of defense relations between Colombia and Sweden, joining Brazil and Thailand in utilizing the Gripen fighter jet.
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