The US ambassador to Colombia, Francisco Palmieri, was visiting Buenaventura and spoke about the projects that are being carried out with the government of Gustavo Petro for the region and the country. In fact, he assured that since the inauguration of the new president, the embassy has been in constant contact with the president and his team.
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“I come here because during the junction, and since the inauguration, we have had a lot of contact with the new government, with President Petro and with Vice President Márquez.Palmieri explained.
The ambassador said that in his conversations with the president and Francia MárquezPoliticians have made it clear to him that US programs to deal with drug trafficking should focus on the Pacific region.
“That is why we are here, understanding the reality of Buenaventura…, a city that needs more attention and to learn that, we visited the mayor, we spoke with youth and civil society activists, to reach an understanding of an area that, definitely needs more attention and more investment,” Palmieri said.
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Also, the Joe Biden government official added that they are aligning all their efforts with the priorities of the new Colombian president. In this sense, he gave a positive part regarding the first days of Gustavo Petro in the presidency and stressed that the United States is interested in continuing to be an ally of the country.
“The confidence of US investors in this economy is maintained and, during his 45 days in office, the president is building a government, he is executing his reform projects and defining how he is going to comply with his program of government and that is why we want to be the partner that the United States has been for 200 years and for the next 200 years. We are here seeing how we can help the government achieve its objectives in Buenaventura and the Pacific,” said the ambassador at a conference press.
What does the US think of total peace?
Regarding the position that his country has regarding the total peace sought by the Petro government, Palmieri pointed out that it is an initiative that benefits not only Colombia, but the entire world, for which the US wants to help.
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“The original peace agreement of 2016 was one of the most important achievements in this new millennium, the possibility that we can achieve total peace in Colombia is for the benefit of the whole world, not just Colombians. And the United States are going to see how we can help in the negotiating process, but at the same time, it is very complex and we understand that. It took more than four years to get the first agreement and we will be here listening and supporting the concept.”
On the other hand, regarding the reestablishment of relations with Venezuela, the US ambassador to Colombia stressed that they respect the decision, but that they hope that Colombia does not forget that there is a problem of democracy in the neighboring country and they must seek solutions.
“The sovereign decision of the government of President Petro to reopen relations with Venezuela is something that any country can take directing its own foreign policy, what we want is that through this opening the government takes into account that there are problems in Venezuela and that there are that promoting a solution, for us a democratic solution is the best way for the Venezuelans themselves to deal with their situation and we hope to be able to count on Colombia in this effort to help the Venezuelans”.
(You can read: Indirect from Boric to Petro? He questioned the violation of rights in Venezuela).
Was there a meeting between Joe Biden and Gustavo Petro?
In front of the dinner with Joe Biden to which Gustavo Petro arrived late, Francisco Palmieri clarified that there was no appointment scheduled and that it was all a misunderstanding: “Regarding a meeting in New York, I think there is a mistake. I had never planned a meeting between the two leaders.”
Finally, Palmieri referred to the FTA, which celebrates 10 years of implementation. He said that, from his point of view, it can be improved, considering that the economies have changed and in favor of the environment and the communities.
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“A 10-year treaty must be adapted because after 10 years there are many changes in both economies, so perhaps they will organize a visit here. Under the treaty there is a commission that meets annually to discuss issues of how the economy is operating. treaty and I believe that there are things in the treaty such as strengthening labor rights, how we can help advance environmental protection. So the treaty has many aspects and I believe that it is not worth renegotiating, it is worth improving and I think that is what we are trying to do propose”.
ELTIEMPO.COM
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