🕒 Created · Updated

Marco Rubio and Abelardo De La Espriella Sign Strategic Memorandums to Strengthen Colombia-U.S. Relations

President Abelardo De La Espriella and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Barranquilla to sign two Memorandums of Understanding focused on strategic minerals and nuclear energy materials. The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation in energy security, industrial competitiveness, and technological innovation while respecting Colombian national sovereignty. During the visit, the administration announced a framework for technical dialogue on nuclear technology and a cooperation plan to identify investment opportunities in rare earth minerals and clean technology supply chains. The meeting also addressed security cooperation, specifically the integration of the "Plan Patriotic Century" with the "Shield of the Americas" to combat narcotics and organized crime. President De La Espriella hosted a private dinner with Secretary Rubio and his wife, Jeanette Rubio, to celebrate the restored political dialogue. While the agreements establish a roadmap for cooperation, some issues remain pending, including the 12.5% tariff on Colombian products and the specific amount of U.S. financial aid for reconstruction. The administration announced that the cooperation framework is unbinding and respects the existing Mining Code and Constitution.

Sources

Paywall and unreadable sources