By Matt Spetalnick
WASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) – The Biden administration is ready to discuss the U.S.-Colombia trade deal with President-elect Gustavo Petro, a senior U.S. official said, as Washington sent a high-level delegation on Thursday to begin forge a relationship with him.
Petro, a 62-year-old economist who will become Colombia’s first left-wing president next month, raised during his campaign to renegotiate trade pacts, including an agreement with the United States signed in 2012, although he moderated some of his positions after being elected. in June.
Asked if Washington is willing to renegotiate the agreement or open it up for discussion, the senior government official said: “Any talk related to the US-Colombia trade promotion agreement will be led by the US Trade Representative.”
“We look forward to engaging in those discussions with the Petro administration after it takes office on August 7,” he said.
The official anticipated a visit to Bogotá from Thursday by a group of US officials that could be a test for what has long been one of the United States’ closest allies in Latin America. They will meet with the outgoing president, Iván Duque, as well as with Petro and his transition team.
Petro called the US-led drug war a “complete failure” and said the government should support small farmers with crop substitution and increased income.
Asked how the delegation would approach the issue, a second official said he wants to “hear and understand the contours and the nuances” of Petro’s ideas.
The administration of President Joe Biden believes a “holistic approach” focused on economic livelihoods and security where they can find common ground is needed, the official said.
Petro has also generated concern in Washington for his contact with the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, who is subject to sanctions by the United States.
Petro and Maduro said last month that they discussed restoring border relations between their countries.
Asked if Petro’s intentions could undermine efforts to isolate Venezuela’s socialist leader, the second official said Colombia could help encourage Maduro and the Venezuelan opposition to resume negotiations.
The visit is also intended to provide assurances against “speculation” about the relationship between the United States and Colombia, an official said, referring to questions about how well the countries would work together once Petro takes office.
The agenda will include discussion of the implementation of a peace agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels, the officials said.
The delegation includes the main adviser to the White House for Latin America, Juan González; Deputy Secretary of State Brian Nichols; Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, as well as Philip Gordon, National Security Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris. (Reporting by By Matt Spetalnick, translated by Nelson Bocanegra)