U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit Colombia next week and meet President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla. The exact date of the visit has not yet been set.
Rubio and de la Espriella are expected to discuss trade and diplomatic relations, as well as security cooperation, drug trafficking and regional security. The visit will be Rubio’s first official working visit to Colombia since joining the Trump administration.
Tariffs and earthquake aid
After a telephone conversation with Rubio on August 18, de la Espriella said Colombia and the United States needed to stand more united than ever.
The Colombian president called for the temporary suspension of tariffs imposed on the country’s products. The conversation also addressed efforts to provide U.S. assistance following the earthquake that occurred on August 10.
Security talks in Washington
Before de la Espriella took office, Rubio met with Colombian Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo in Washington in July. The talks addressed security cooperation, the elimination of illegal cultivation areas, the restoration of public order and the strengthening of Colombia’s armed forces.
Restrepo raised the possibility that Colombia could officially join the “Shield of the Americas” initiative, which is backed by the United States and aims to strengthen regional security cooperation. Rubio’s planned visit will take place as the Colombian government seeks to deepen relations with Washington and find solutions to economic and security challenges.