Troops have been deployed to boost police presence in Bogota
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US President George W Bush has arrived in Colombia as part of his five-nation Latin American tour.
He will meet President Alvaro Uribe in a display of support for efforts to combat that country's insurgency.
Colombia is one of the largest recipients of US aid to help fight a long-running war against left-wing guerrillas and drug traffickers.
The visit is being overshadowed by a political scandal, which has raised questions about US support in Congress.
The scandal has linked a number of President Uribe's government politicians to right-wing paramilitaries.
Some US Democrats are questioning a White House request for $3.9bn in new aid over the next seven years as well as the wisdom of a US trade deal with Colombia.
Since 2000, Colombia has received billions of dollars of US funds and military hardware.
A BBC Americas analyst Will Grant says that on the third leg of his tour, President Bush is likely to continue to promote the good relationship with Colombia as hugely positive for the US.
Security
Last week, Mr Bush defended the $700m-a-year aid programme and expressed his determination to press for congressional approval of free trade agreements signed with Colombia and Peru.
There have been concerns that guerrillas might try to disrupt the meeting between Mr Bush and Mr Aribe by launching fresh attacks.
Colombian authorities have deployed 21,000 troops in addition to 7,000 police who will be responsible for security during Mr Bush's visit.
President Bush is in Colombia for a few hours, before heading for Guatemala later on Sunday. He has already visited Brazil and Uruguay.
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez is on a tour of Latin America at the same time.
On Saturday during a visit to Bolivia, he launched a stinging attack on the US.
Mr Chavez described capitalism as "the road to hell". He underlined the billions of dollars of aid Venezuela is ploughing into Bolivia's economy at a time when the US is reducing its contributions.
President Bush has avoided discussing his rival's regional trip during his own visit to promote trade.
Mr Bush's presence in Latin American states has been met with protests and marches, some of which have turned violent.
About 20 people were arrested in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo on Friday after an estimated 6,000 people took to the streets.
On Saturday, Mr Bush avoided the crowds by meeting the president at his rural retreat some 125 miles (200km) west of the capital.
Mr Chavez, meanwhile, travels on to Nicaragua.
