Bogota, 30 May 2024 ( TDI): The US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R Verma kicked off to Colombia on Tuesday to bolster diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia in Bogota, aimed to bolster the diplomatic relations between the two states and boost the shared area of priority, a statement revealed by the State Department.
The Deputy Secretary of State held several meetings with government officials of Colombia particularly the 11th High-Level Dialogue to advance progress in ongoing agreements and projects between the two countries.
In meetings with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Richard R Verma reaffirmed that the Biden Administration is committed to providing support to the Colombian government.
Particularly, in addressing issues related to drug trafficking, flourishing the democratic process, managing inhumane migration across the Hemisphere, and enhancing equitable economics and social opportunities.
High-Level representatives from the US and Colombia held the 11th High-Level Dialogue in Bogota on Tuesday. Colombia Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia and Deputy Secretary of State Richard R Verma met in the presence of delegations from the governments of both countries and discussed the historical 202 years of cooperation that united them.
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Vida Colombia Strategy
During the 11th High-Level Dialogue, the officials launched a new vision of their bilateral relations and cooperation known as the “Vida Colombia Strategy” to counter global, regional, and internal challenges that both countries are facing.
Both governments propose a new vision for joint action and cooperation that aligns more closely with current circumstances.
The new strategy focused on the relationship with other countries and orientation towards hemispheric collaboration.
Moreover, it includes facing common challenges and opportunities such as democratic stability, environmental protection, socio-ecological transition, implementation of peace accords, countering crime and narcotics, and safe, orderly, and humane migration management.
Moreover, in the Vida Colombia Strategy, the US supports the Colombian government to bring transition in energy production, making it a key player in addressing the climate crisis.
In addition, the US emphasized to government officials that the flourishment of democracy is necessary to bolster diplomatic relations and ensure the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement that protects Afro-Colombian, Indigenous, and other marginalized racial and ethnic communities.
