Joint Statement by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. of the United States and President Iván Duque Márquez of the Republic of Colombia U.S.-Colombia Bicentennial Partnership
We met today to commemorate 200 years of diplomatic relations and to outline a vision for the future for the U.S.-Colombia relationship based on shared prosperity, social equity, the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the reaffirmation of the hemispheric consensus in favor of democracy enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
The United States intends to designate Colombia as a Major Non-NATO Ally in recognition of our uniquely close cooperation in the hemisphere, Colombia’s significant contributions as a NATO Global Partner, its commitment to NATO’s mission to promote democratic values and commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, and its rejection of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine.
We committed to expanding longstanding bilateral security cooperation, into a strategic partnership with positive bilateral, regional, and global implications. Recognizing that strengthening Colombia’s security is in the national security interest of the United States, we agreed to sustain robust cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational criminal actors, including drug trafficking and the smuggling and trafficking of people, as well as the malign influence of external actors.
We committed to advance our broader drug policy strategy, with a holistic approach to counternarcotics focused on expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services, as well as reducing the supply of illicit drugs through renewed efforts that link eradication, interdiction, drug demand reduction, anti-money laundering efforts and robust rule of law institutions. Our comprehensive approach will combine rural security and development efforts and work to consolidate and sustain peace implementation and reconciliation programs, while ensuring that criminal actors are brought to justice.
In the face of sustained challenges to democracy and universal human rights around the world, we recognized the need for our governments to demonstrate that democracy can deliver to improve the lives of our citizens by cracking down on corruption and promoting transparency, by ensuring a green and equitable recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis in Venezuela is a regional challenge and we commit to support the restoration of democracy as necessary to bring an end to the political, economic, and humanitarian crises. In our continued efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, the United States announced the donation of an additional two million vaccine doses to Colombia, including for displaced and migrant communities.
We agreed to prioritize investments in our shared prosperity through the Build Back Better World initiative focused on climate change, health and health technology, digital connectivity, and gender equity. Further, we committed to ensuring that the future of U.S.-Colombia cooperation is guided by a continued commitment to environmental and social justice, as well as racial equity and a respect for human rights.
Finally, we agreed to work on a new framework for how nations throughout the hemisphere collectively manage migration. The current migrant crisis is bigger than any one country and any one border. This is a moment that calls us all to action. The United States and Colombia urge leaders across the Americas to join us in developing a Regional Declaration on Migration and Protection. The Americas have a rich tradition of welcoming refugees and immigrants and showing solidarity with our neighbors. Working hand in hand, we can overcome this current crisis and truly set an example for the rest of the world.
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