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Two different but intertwined events gravitate on the scene of Colombia’s relations with the United States: the recent victory of Democrat Joe Biden, antithesis of Republican Donald Trump, and the still diaphanous echo of voices that warn that the country should even consider change of Ambassador Francisco Santos.
“I would give him a recommendation,” said Juan Manuel Santos, “that he retire before January 21, so that he does not suddenly suffer some personally embarrassing event, which would have repercussions in the country. I am telling you because there is a certain discomfort with what has happened ”, argued the former president.
Chancellor Claudia Blum spoke with EL TIEMPO about these issues.
And Joe Biden won. After your victory, do you think there will be any change in the bilateral relations between Colombia and the United States? USA?
Colombia and the United States have a diverse and dynamic agenda, and their strength has always been and will always be bipartisan support. It is an agenda of matters of priority interest for the two countries and for the region, and it is not tied to an election.
(You can read: ‘Pacho Santos spoke with a Pentagon contractor to help Trump’)
Is there no uncertainty for you? Are the relations between the two countries today good?
They are broad and robust relationships, built on several decades of work between both sides. The United States is our first commercial partner, the main source of our foreign investment and the first cooperator in many topics of interest to Colombia. We have a common agenda on issues such as the fight against drugs, humanitarian assistance in Venezuelan migration, rural development, justice and security in general.
Do you think they will continue like this during the presidency of Joe Biden?
They will undoubtedly continue to deepen. With the spirit of consensus and bipartisan support, we have advanced in the binational agenda that, in addition to economic and political issues, includes initiatives in the environment, science and technology, energy, education and culture. We will continue to work to promote democracy, human rights, legality, entrepreneurship and equity.
The Government of Colombia had full respect for the elections in the United States
There is a lot of noise here. It has even been heard that Colombia could change its ambassador to the United States. Is that so?
Ambassador Santos has strengthened the bipartisan relationship in the United States and thanks to the fluid relationships that he has maintained and built with Democrats and Republicans, he has promoted important issues for Colombia with the Government, Congress, the private sector and social organizations of that country.
So you back it up?
Francisco Santos is an ambassador committed to the common agenda defined by the two countries.
(Also: Former President Santos ‘advises you to resign’ as US ambassador)
This concern arose because there are versions that members of the Government wanted Trump’s triumph. It is true?
The Government of Colombia had full respect for the elections in the United States. This is an internal political process, in which neither the Foreign Ministry with its embassies nor other ministries had any intervention.
But don’t you think Ambassador Santos wanted Trump to win?
We have a bipartisan relationship with the United States. Since his inauguration, in September 2018, our ambassador in Washington has held 81 working meetings with Republican congressmen and 84 with Democratic congressmen. Those meetings with legislators from both parties, who work on foreign relations, budget, armed services, trade, science and transportation, are decisive in our bilateral agenda.
We have significant international cooperation
There is no doubt in the open participation of senators from the Democratic Center (CD) in favor of Trump. Will there be consequences?
No. Relations between Colombia and the United States are very strong and, as they are built with a vision of the State, they are above the individual position of the political parties. In democracies, political movements of all stripes maintain free relations with parties from other countries, and even have their international organizations.
(Don’t go unread: Trump reiterates that Santos and Obama surrendered to ‘narco-terrorists’)
But the actions of some members of the CD …
These are issues that do not determine the bilateral relations between States. The Government of the United States knows that our Government does not intervene in its internal politics and that the actions of activists of any tendency are autonomous.
The interest of President-elect Joe Biden in the smooth running of the peace process is known. Will Colombia comply with your government’s suggestions on this issue?
Colombia, with all its institutions, works for peace and we have significant international cooperation with countries and multilateral organizations that support us in the policy of peace with legality that, in two years, has achieved solid results.
As which
In the progress made in the implementation of the 2016 agreement and in the transformation of the municipalities most affected by violence and poverty. With the United States we have worked in demining, rural land registry, support for victims.
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I mean, will the peace with Biden have a boost?
The USAID Development Cooperation Strategy 2020-2025 for Colombia focuses on the pillars of consolidating peace, stability and prosperity. These are actions that we are going to reinforce with the new government.
ARMANDO NEIRA
POLICY EDITOR
TIME
