'The Colombia-USA relationship. 'USA is solid and robust': Chancellor responds to Republican legislator

The chancellor in charge Luis Gilberto Murillo responded through his X account to the comments expressed by the Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, president of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States House of Representatives, who expressed in a press conference that the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, “apparently is not interested in a special relationship with the United States.”

Murillo assured that he differs from the assessments expressed by Diaz-Balart because “the relationship between Colombia and the United States is solid, robust and bipartisan.”

In his publication on the social network, The chancellor also assured that the alliance between Bogotá and Washington has been reaffirmed by the bilateral and regional agenda, which in recent times has expanded and diversified.

“Our cooperation and joint work are fundamental for the rest of the region, as evidenced by the recent cooperation package approved in the United States Congress,” he wrote.

Murillo also highlighted the comment made by US President Joe Biden in the meeting he had with the Colombian head of state in April 2023 and in which the president highlighted that Colombia is the cornerstone of the hemisphere.

Besides, He reiterated his commitment and willingness for Colombia and the United States to continue strengthening the strategic alliance between both countries in favor of a better future for both nations.

The criticisms that Diaz-Balart issued

Diaz-Balart's comments took place this Wednesday during a press conference called to take stock of the budget law approved for 2024 in the United States.

In his speech, The Republican assured that President Petro does not seem to be interested in having a special relationship with the United States and threatened to cut future funding for Colombia.

He also indicated that the recent reduction in the budget for our country would be a product of the president's attitude. For fiscal year 2024, the United States Congress approved an amount of 410 million dollars for Colombia, which represents a 10 percent reduction compared to the resources approved in 2023.

This reduction, however, was negotiated between Republicans and Democrats in all aid programs delivered by the United States.

“We have been helping Colombia for many years. President Petro, who was elected in Colombia, seems to not want that special relationship with the United States. We have already publicly told him, his employees, that he has to determine if he wants to maintain that special relationship with the United States. And so far, with words, and most importantly, he is showing that he does not want that special relationship,” Diaz-Balart said.

Diaz-Balart also mentioned that President Joe Biden will have to present a report to the United States Congress for it to approve the disbursement of resources to Colombia, which will happen only if the legislature manages to determine that the Colombian president is respectful of the state of Right.

INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL – EL TIEMPO