Washington, DC – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement upon return from the Presidential Delegation to Colombia:

“On Sunday, I had the honor of witnessing the inauguration of the first leftist President and first Afro-Colombian Woman in Colombia's history alongside USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice Desirée Cormier Smith, and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere Juan Gonzalez.

"While in Colombia, members of the U.S. presidential delegation had a fruitful meeting with President Gustavo Petro, Vice President Francia Márquez, and members of the new cabinet. We laid the groundwork for future dialogues on issues such as climate change, inclusive and sustainable development, racial and ethnic equality, Colombia’s role as a regional leader, and our respective countries’ long history of cooperation and economic ties.

"This trip re-affirmed that the people of Colombia desire lasting peace and embrace democracy. We engaged with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous leaders who shared their recommendations for bilateral collaboration to promote lasting peace, protect environmental and human rights defenders, and support the full implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the 2016 Peace Accord. I look forward to working with the new government of Colombia, the State Department, USAID, and the U.S. government interagency to further our bilateral relationship in support of inclusive economic growth, equity, and regional stability.”

###