US President Joe Biden will host a bilateral meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Petro next week, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre announced Friday.
It will be the first meeting between the two presidents since Petro took office last August as the first leftist president in the history of Colombia.
The White House spokeswoman said in a statement that Colombia is a key partner of the United States and that at the meeting the two leaders will discuss how the two countries can continue to deepen the bilateral relationship by advancing in areas of mutual interest, including the promotion of a greater economic and security cooperation.
“The two leaders will also discuss joint efforts to combat climate change, fight drug trafficking, address our regional migration challenge, and promote democratic values and human and labor rights in the region and in the world,” the statement explained.
Simultaneously, the Colombian Presidency confirmed the meeting next week in the Oval Office of the White House.
The Presidency assured that the meeting responds to the formal invitation extended by the President of the United States and presents a unique opportunity to reaffirm the solid alliance that exists between the two nations in an expanded and reformed framework of cooperation and friendship.
“The presidents will address issues of mutual interest on the bilateral and hemispheric agenda, such as climate change and the protection of biodiversity, the energy transition, peace efforts, migration, drug policy, and trade and investment opportunities. for prosperity and social and territorial inclusion,” said an official statement.
Petro thanked Biden for the invitation and assured on his Twitter account that it is a key moment to strengthen the relationship and mutual cooperation between the two countries, not only in the fight against drug trafficking but also in the protection of the Amazon, climate change and the rural development.
The United States is the main destination for exports from the South American country and an important ally in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.
Petro is seeking to end a six-decade conflict that has left more than 450,000 people dead, through peace deals with left-wing rebels or surrender deals with criminal groups made up of former right-wing paramilitaries.
The Colombian president, a strong critic of the fight against drugs led by the United States, considers that this strategy has failed and promotes a new international approach.
Colombia’s attorney general, Francisco Barbosa, has warned that the country risks losing US support due to an increase in cocaine production and a bill that makes it easier to bring drug traffickers to justice in exchange for sentences. minors.
According to official figures from the United States, Colombia closed 2021 with 234,000 hectares and a potential cocaine production of 972 tons. Measurements for 2022 have not been revealed yet.
Source: Ambito
