The recent victory of Colombian politician Abelardo de la Espriella represents an opportunity for Puerto Rico to strengthen commercial ties between Colombia and the United States, according to economist José Joaquín Villamil. De la Espriella's government is expected to have a more friendly relationship with the US and the private sector, which could lead to a reduction in uncertainty for Colombia's economy.
Villamil notes that this could lead to a historic strengthening of commercial ties between Colombia and the US, but does not foresee an increase in Puerto Rico's exports to Colombia, which are currently minimal. However, Puerto Rican exporters may have the potential to explore the Colombian market and establish themselves in the country.
According to the National Association of Foreign Trade, in January, Puerto Rico was the second-largest exporter to Colombia's free zones, with 13% of the market share. In the 2025 fiscal year, Puerto Rico registered around $828 million in imports from Colombia.