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Apart from the exmandatarios, there is no one in the Democratic Party in the United States who has more recognition than Vice President Joe Biden. So much so, that there are those who still postulate him as the candidate who could snatch four years at Donald Trump's White House in the 2020 elections.
A great connoisseur of Colombia, Biden has arrived Monday in the country to participate in the forum Concordia, where he will share the platform with President Juan Manuel Santos and elected Iván Duque.
In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, the former vice president asks that the peace agreements signed with the FARC not be abandoned.
He is also alarmed by the increase in illicit crops, but he says that the road does not punish Colombia but cooperates more closely with the country.
And although he does not say it directly, he recommends Duke and other leaders of the region face difficult relations with the Trump administration knowing that it is a status transient that will not define the alliances that took decades to
One of the fears that exists between the opposition is that Duke ends or weakens the peace agreements that were signed with the Farc and that you have supported under the administration of Barack Obama. Do you think that these should be modified as proposed by the new president or better implement what was agreed in Havana?
Disagreements and debate are essential for progress in any democracy, especially when it is like the peace process, which affects the lives of all Colombians. As in other processes throughout history, moving from negotiation to implementation will require adjustments.
Being able to adapt to realities on the ground is essential and necessary for peace to be successful and sustainable. But giving up the agreement and returning to the battlefield is not the right answer. The Colombians have suffered a lot and too long because of the lack of peace.
I also respect the deep disagreements in Colombia regarding certain aspects of the agreement with the FARC and the way forward for the future. Only Colombians can determine the best way forward
However, I hope that this way will give priority to the vital interests of the Colombian people, put them on the right track and ensure that Colombia can continue to be a leader in peace efforts not only in the interior of the country but in the region.
Peace will take time, but will positively change the playing field.
Disagreements and debate are essential for progress in any democracy
The White House has just released figures in which it is confirmed that narco crops continued to grow. President Trump threatened last year to decertify the country if it did not change. Do you think that can happen?
We must be honest about this problem. The current administration is right to point out that coca production has increased dramatically.
But we should not use our help to Colombia as a punishment. Recognize that no one understands better than Colombia the implications of increasing coca production and drug trafficking. Much has been suffered and sacrificed over the years.
In the short term, and to maintain the bipartisan relationship that has characterized our relationship for decades, it is crucial that the government make steady progress in reducing production. drug. But I firmly believe that it is a shared problem that we must face together. We can not move forward if the relationship turns into threats and recriminations.
We urgently need a common strategy to fight crop growth, attack distribution channels and reduce drug demand through treatment programs. That's what I've supported as a vice president and I still believe it's the least way.
The good news is that Colombia has some of the strongest institutions in the region to deal with drug trafficking and organized crime.
The Colombia Plan has taught us that the only way to achieve positive change is through a sustained international effort that balances security and development and is accompanied by a serious political commitment and necessary resources, both the government and the government. private sector
High intensity police operations are not effective if there is no effective state presence in the coca production areas. This requires a strong and independent judiciary, support for the rule of law and sustainable access to legal economic opportunities. When all these pieces coincide, communities that have depended on drugs for years can finally look to a better future.
Colombia must continue to demonstrate that it is a country that is ready for investment
Colombia has just entered the OECD. While this sounds like a great triumph, it also involves tremendous cost and responsibility. Do you think the country is ready?
President Obama and I were the first foreign leaders to offer our support to Colombia's aspirations to accede to the OECD. Colombia has worked for a strong and prosperous economy, an inclusive society and a government with strong institutions. They deserve this recognition.
And the entry of Colombia will also add an important perspective – before Colombia is Mexico and Chile representing Latin America – which will strengthen the organization and will highlight its leadership international. That is to say that with that the whole world wins.
The process of ascension is complicated in its design. New members must adhere to standards on 23 issues such as trade, justice and employment.
And this usually means that the country has to make internal reforms. The completion of this process demonstrates the future vision of the Colombian people, but much remains to be done.
Colombia must continue to demonstrate that it is a country ready to invest and where the rule of law is respected. I believe that the leadership of President Santos and the plan presented by President-elect Duque show that the country is ready to take up the challenge.
When you left the government, relations with Latin America were good. It seemed that we had turned the page on things like the Monroe Doctrine or the isolation of Cuba. Where are we nearly two years after the arrival of Trump to power?
During the Obama administration, we made substantial progress in strengthening relations between the United States. UU and the Americas.
In fact, it was one of my highest personal priorities as a vice president. I always say, and I really believe that the question that EE. UU What we need to do is not what we can do for the Americas, but we can do it with the Americas.
The policies we are developing demonstrate our commitment to this principle. We are looking for a better relationship with Mexico and Brazil, we support the North Triangle in Central America, we are negotiating an opening with Cuba, we support the peace process in Colombia and we give priority to the deepening of our relations with our partners in the hemisphere. .
We were not perfect, but we were interested in regional relations and the energy and resources devoted to improving it by looking for constructive ways to work together.
We must return to it. Relationships are never easy, but over time I think we will get there. And during this time, it is not necessary to depend on governments to establish links between our peoples. We can continue to cultivate these relationships through academic collaborations, civil society agreements, through commercial cooperation.
There are many positive things that happen to strengthen our bonds and that's something we can not lose sight of. 19659003] What would you recommend to Duque and other Presidents in the region who have to face Trump's anti-immigrant and isolationist rhetoric every day while seeking a constructive relationship with the United States? U.S. 19459008, WP., 19659003, OEE. UU and Colombia have a close and important relationship based on trust and respect. This did not happen because of the arrival of a particular government. It is based on the long friendship and rich history shared by our peoples.
The same goes for US relations. UU and other countries in the region. It is very important to remember this in difficult times.
My advice to leaders who want good relations with the United States is that they focus on their long-term national goals, reinforce bipartisan support with the US Congress and seek out the areas of cooperation where they can still work with the United States. UU In this sense, Colombia is better placed than other countries and I hope that President-elect Duque will be able to establish a model that others will be able to reproduce
SERGIO GÓMEZ MASERI
Correspondent EL TIEMPO
Washington
on twitter @ sergom68
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