U.S.-Colombia Partnership, Investment in Colombia and Venezuelan Crisis Top His Agenda
Presidents Iván Duque and Donald Trump at the White House
· Meets with President Trump at the White House: Colombian President Iván Duque met with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior national security officials at the White House the morning of Monday, March 2. Speaking at a joint press availability before the meeting, Duque emphasized the importance of building on the strong U.S.-Colombia alliance and economic partnership, addressing the Venezuelan crisis, and fighting corruption and drug trafficking.
President Duque’s D.C. agenda was coordinated by the Colombian Embassy in Washington, D.C.. The President was accompanied by Colombian Ambassador to the United States Francisco Santos, as well as Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister Claudia Blum, Colombian Commerce Minister José Manuel Restrepo and Colombian Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo.
· Leading Media Coverage: Associated Press, Reuters and Fox News (video).
President Duque Addresses AIPAC
· Addresses AIPAC Policy Conference: Also on Monday morning, President Duque joined world leaders, including U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in addressing the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference. In his remarks, President Duque emphasized Colombia’s strong ties with Israel, including a new free trade agreement, and Colombia’s commitment to working with its allies to fight terrorist groups around the world. Watch President Duque’s Address to AIPAC (President Duque’s remarks begin at 31:00m)
· Attracting Foreign Investment to Colombia
- President Duque met with the Business Council for International Understanding, which includes top executives of leading businesses, to discuss expanding private sector investment in Colombia.
- He signed an agreement with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President Luis Alberto Moreno to attract foreign investment and strengthen exports.
- President Duque presented the opportunities of Colombia’s ‘Orange Economy’ to the National Endowment for the Humanitiesduring a visit to President Abraham Lincoln’s cottage. The President highlighted culture and the humanities as an important bridge for constructing strong bilateral relations.
President Duque at Abraham Lincoln’s Cottage
President Duque’s Visit in Photos and Tweets
Presidents Iván Duque and Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House
Presidents Iván Duque and Donald Trump at the White House
President Duque is joined by Ambassador Santos and the Colombian delegation
