The election of Gustavo Petro as the next president of the country raised questions about the future of international relations, especially with the US, a key partner for Colombia.
The Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, Brian Nichols, spoke with EL TIEMPO about Petro’s triumph in the elections and the future of bilateral relations as of August 7.
(Also read: ‘We look forward to working with President-elect Petro’: Antony Blinken)
Although Nichols acknowledges that there will be differences, he believes that there is much more that unites both countries than what separates them and, in any case, the relationship will not depend on a single government, since it has been built, and in a solid way, through throughout 200 years of history.
Over the past 20 years, Colombia has become the US’s main ally in the region. Do you think that this will change with the arrival of Gustavo Petro, taking into account that the president-elect has made clear his profound differences with the United States’ policy both towards Colombia and at the regional level?
We are clear that when a new government arrives it has new objectives and priorities. That is normal and will happen with this government. But our relationship with Colombia goes much further than a single government. It is something that has been built over 200 years and we are ready to start a conversation about shared priorities and how we can work together to create improvements for the region and its people and to help the working classes and those most in need.
I see many areas where our priorities intertwine. There will be others where we do not agree but we will work on them as partners and friends and I hope that this strong relationship that exists will be maintained (with Petro).
(You may be interested in: Colombia: triumph of the left joins the trend in Latin America)
In his speech this Sunday, the president-elect spoke of working with the US on climate change and energy transition, two issues that his administration is very interested in. In that they do seem aligned.
Absolutely. President Biden hosted a major event on Friday to combat climate change and produce clean energy. That is further evidence of the administration’s commitment to this issue and working with partners in the region is part of that.
At the Summit of the Americas, all the countries that participated, including Colombia, committed to protecting the environment and in particular the Amazon and Colombia as an Amazonian country. There is a lot where we can work. In fact, US$50 billion in financing from multilateral banks has already been approved to face the challenges of climate change.
Petro has said that he wants to adjust aspects of the Free Trade Agreement with the US because, in his opinion, it has been unfavorable to Colombian agriculture. Is there room for such a discussion?
The issue of trade agreements is handled by the USTR (Office of the Trade Representative) and I don’t want to get into it directly, but I do. we are ready to talk about a lot of issues with the new Petro government.
In fact, one of the challenges we have in the hemisphere is that of food security and the promotion of agriculture, and it is an area in which we as a country are very committed because it affects the majority.
(Also: The future of relations with the US, Venezuela and Nicaragua with Petro)
We hope that Colombia continues to be the valuable trading partner that it has been throughout all these years.
The president-elect has also said that he will restore relations with Venezuela and recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president. It is obvious that in the face of this there are strong differences between the US and Petro’s new Colombia, right?
We continue to recognize the interim government of Juan Guaido and we are focused on promoting dialogue between the Maduro regime and the opposition so that Venezuelans can enjoy life as Colombians can, through free elections, without fear of expressing their opinions, and building a better future. And I think that with the new government we can work together on that goal.
Petro not only opposes fumigation to control illicit crops, but also favors voluntary substitution rather than forced eradication. In his country, many will not like the position. Particularly the Republicans, who are alarmed by the large increases in production.
We want to sit down at the table with the new government to discuss all the issues on the agenda, including global ones and the fight against narcotics.
Colombia has not fumigated for a long time and I have already worked both in Colombia and in other countries on other approaches to eradicate.
Promoting an alternative development that provides opportunities is something that interests us all, as well as facing the challenges that affect rural communities. In the US, we are focused on reducing consumption and treating addictions to prevent the high number of overdose deaths that have been occurring. I believe that as a hemisphere we have to dialogue to find common ground and solutions.
(Keep reading: This is how world leaders react to the triumph of Gustavo Petro in Colombia)
What message would you send to businessmen and investors in the US who may be concerned about the future of their businesses with the arrival of Petro to power?
Colombia has been an important and solid ally of the US in economic terms. And one of the goals we have is to promote investments in our own hemisphere and bring production chains closer because the pandemic has shown us how vulnerable we are. And in that we We hope that Colombia will continue to be the valuable trade partner that it has been throughout all these years.
SERGIO GOMEZ MASERI
Correspondent of THE TIME
Washington
@Sergom68
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