Colombia and the United States took the first step to remedy the current impasse in bilateral relations. This was stated by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after concluding the meeting with representatives of both countries.
(Read more: Fight between Petro and Trump has trade and investments in check)
Present in this space were President Gustavo Petro, the Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Daniel García-Peña, and the charge d’affaires of the United States in Colombia, John McNamara, who They will hold new meetings with a view to finding a solution as soon as possible.
According to the Foreign Ministry, during the meeting the president ratified the National Government’s commitment to expand the illicit crop substitution program and reiterated the need for the US territory to be based on “the real figures” of the fight against drugs in Colombia.
The above, taking into account that the investigation commission hired by the Executive to measure the production potential per hectare of coca leaf crops in the country had errors that were not corrected, which has been recognized by the United Nations.
“As he had already said in a presidential speech, the president assured that the measurement they made totaled the production of coca leaf in all segments, which led to an alleged growth of illicit crops and, therefore, greater production of cocaine,” indicated the Ministry.
Regarding the possibility of the US government applying a new package of tariffs to the national territory, McNamara made it clear that it is a decision that It belongs exclusively to President Trump.
(See: Trump ‘is not king in Colombia’: Petro talks about the country’s current tension with the US.)
Maintain diplomatic channels
In an interview with ‘Blu Radio’, García-Peña pointed out that the meeting was “constructive to the extent that it was possible to explain the fight against drug trafficking (…) The importance of maintaining cooperation between both countries was discussed.”
The Colombian ambassador to the United States also indicated that the chargé d’affaires explained to the Colombian head of state his “concerns about some terms that President Petro has used”. In this regard, it was concluded that “It was important to de-escalate this verbal confrontation and seek to maintain these diplomatic channels.”
(More news: The FTA between Colombia and the United States is still valid, AmCham clarifies)
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