The opposition views the deal as a violation of Colombian sovereignty and criticised the government for not running the plan past Congress.

General Freddy Padilla, commander of Colombia's Armed Forces and acting defence minister, said the deal - likely to be signed soon - would allow the US to use bases in the northern province of Atlantico and in the central provinces of Cundinamarca and Meta.

Padilla said the deal does not expand the number of US personnel allowed on Colombian soil. Current caps are at 800 military officers and 600 civilian contractors, with 84 military officers and 243 contractors currently in the South American country.