Colombian President Gustavo Petro has made a visit to Washington to try and reset Colombian-US relations after a year of diplomatic strains and policy differences.
The visit comes at a time when both governments are looking to stabilize relations that have shown signs of strain over such issues as security cooperation, drug policy and regional diplomacy. Petro’s meetings with U.S. officials are expected to focus on repairing relations, with continued independence of Colombia’s policy.
Drug Policy and Security Differences in Focus
Tensions have been mounting in the past year as Petro promotes a departure from more traditional, hardline counternarcotics policies. His administration has played a big role in rural development and negotiating with armed groups, saying that decades of policies aimed at enforcement failed in reducing violence and drug production. U.S. officials have raised concern about whether those changes led to depleted cooperation that has existed over the years.
Despite the friction, the United States is Colombia’s most important strategic partner. Washington is a provider of security assistance and a contributor to peace implementation efforts, and it is Colombia’s most important trading partner. Both sides say that they want to avoid further rift.
In Washington, Petro is expected to make Colombia’s continuing commitment to cooperation but seek flexibility. He has called out that Colombia must have room to follow a policy suited to its social and security reality. Colombian officials said that the goal is not rupture, but recalibration.
U.S. officials have welcomed dialog and also emphasized shared expectations. They have repeated such significance of quantifiable achievements in diminishing cocaine production and human rights. Privately, however, the U.S. policymakers are taking a hard look at whether Colombia’s new approach will yield some real security progress.
The visit is also indicative of the wider regional dynamics. Latin American governments are increasingly making claims to autonomy in foreign and domestic policy Petro has become aligned with the progressive leaders throughout the region and demanded to reform the way the international community responds to drugs, climate change, and inequality.
Trade and Economic Cooperation on the Agenda
Economics will also be on the table for the talks. Trade, investments and energy cooperation are areas where both sides see opportunity. Colombia is looking for investment in renewable energy and infrastructure and U.S. companies look down at Colombia as a stable market in a turbulent region.
To Petro, the Washington visit has political significance at home. A better relationship with the United States could help protect his government from criticism that a change in foreign policy could isolate Colombia. For Washington, being engaged provides an opportunity to keep a key ally near, despite policy differences.
The visit is unlikely to clarify all the disagreements. But it is a sign of mutual interest in stabilising ties. If both sides adhere to words to long engagement, the trip could mark the start of a pragmatism phase in the relations between the US and Colombia.