Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Albio Sires, Chair of the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration and International Economic Policy Subcommittee, issued the following statement to commemorate the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Colombia: 

“200 years ago today, the United States House of Representatives approved two resolutions recognizing Colombia’s independence and we are proud to continue this storied alliance with one of our most important partners in the region. The United States and Colombia have worked closely together to expand cooperation on issues of trade and development, combatting drug trafficking, and implementing the historic 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). 

“Over the years, the United States and Colombia have signed agreements on labor rights; environmental protection; asset sharing; control of chemicals; ship-boarding; renewable and clean energy; science and technology; racial and ethnic equality, and civil aviation. We have deepened our partnership through successes combatting transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and expanding academic, cultural, and sports exchange programs, as well as developing social-inclusion initiatives that engage African descendants, Indigenous groups and LGBTQI+ communities.” 

“We have leveraged our alliance to support greater regional collaboration and confront new challenges working hand-in-hand to attend to the urgent humanitarian needs of nearly two million displaced Venezuelans in Colombia and encouraged regional partners to join the effort to address migration challenges in the hemisphere.  

“The U.S. is enhanced because of our shared demographic ties with Colombia, and we commit to ensuring that this partnership endures for generations to come.”