“A very important diplomatic achievement”: Colombian president celebrates after U.S. says it will designate country as major non-NATO ally

The White House said on Thursday it intends to designate Colombia as a major non-NATO ally in a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening security, ending the COVID-19 pandemic and tackling climate change. Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez praised the move, saying it was a “very important diplomatic achievement.”

“This means the most important recognition of the importance we’ve gained over the years,” Márquez told White House CBS News and political correspondent Ed O’Keefe. “This will allow Colombia access to investment and trade and security issues that will strengthen our relationship and protect Colombia.”

The designation will add Colombia to a growing list of more than a dozen non-NATO allied countries and provide certain trade and security cooperation privileges in Colombia, according to the U.S. State Department.

The White House said it made the appointment because of “Colombia’s significant contributions as a global NATO partner, its commitment to NATO’s mission to promote democratic values, and its commitment to peaceful resolution.” of the disputes and its rejection of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. “

Márquez, who met with President Biden at the White House on Thursday, said the measure would allow Colombia to receive additional support in areas such as climate action and refugee protection, as the country deals with “the most migratory crisis. Latin American complex of recent history “.

He described his meeting with Mr Biden as “transparent” and “open”.

In a joint statement on Thursday, the two leaders said the two countries “have recognized the need for our governments to show that democracy can improve the lives of our citizens.”

The president of Colombia said neighboring country Venezuela – one of Russia’s main allies in Latin America – should return to democracy. The president of the country, Nicolás Maduro, called him dictator.

“Venezuela must take this path, otherwise the tragedy they are experiencing will continue,” he said of a democratic transition.

Biden and Márquez also said they had agreed to prioritize investment in initiatives focused on areas such as gender equity and digital connectivity, pledged to “expand long-term bilateral security cooperation” and will continue efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

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