:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/CSGPB5HZHBGQTNNFRKPXXRIBRA.jpg "Biden announces Donation of 2.5 million Janssen coronavirus Vaccines to Colombia")
The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, held his first telephone conversation with his American counterpart Joe Biden this Monday, who announced the donation of 2.5 million covid-19 vaccines to Colombia from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
In the conversation, Duque’s first direct dialogue with Biden since he arrived at the White House on January 20, “the two reiterated the importance of the strategic alliance between both nations”, according to a statement from the Colombian Presidency.
“During the call, they talked about economic reactivation and employment, the global agenda for climate change, shared values in terms of democracy and human rights, as well as the importance of effectively facing common threats in terms of regional security. and transnational crime,” added the information.
Further, “President Joe Biden announced an initial donation of 2.5 million Janssen vaccines (single dose) for Colombians”, indicated the House of Nariño.
COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA FOR LATIN AMERICA
Biden also expressed to Duque his concern about the Venezuelan crisis and the impact it has had on the region, as well as “underlined the importance of seeking an international consensus for free and fair elections.”
“He also recognized the effort of Colombia by offering Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelan migrants who have had to leave due to the situation in their country”, added the Presidency.
The Temporary Protection statute for migrants, which will be valid for 10 years, seeks to legally welcome those who have arrived in Colombia from Venezuela fleeing the crisis and make them part of Colombian society “permanently”.
For its part, Duke invited the US president and his wife, Jill Biden, to visit Colombia and thanked him for the solidarity expressed by the attack suffered last Friday by the helicopter in which he was traveling in the department of Norte de Santander, bordering Venezuela, along with two of his ministers and other officials.
Colombia is the main regional ally of the United States in defense and security matters, and the close relationship between the two countries has been marked by bipartisan support for the country both in the White House and on Capitol Hill.
“The two presidents expressed their willingness to work together on a comprehensive agenda that contributes to the security and development of the two countries and of Latin America in general,” according to the statement.
RENEWED CONFIDENCE
Although Duke participated last April in the Climate Summit convened by Biden, which was done virtually, today is the first telephone conversation between the two leaders and takes place two weeks after the appointment of Juan Carlos Pinzón as the new Colombian ambassador to Washington.
“Dialogue between Presidents Iván Duque and Joe Biden is a sign of confidence and strength in the strategic relationship between the peoples of Colombia and the United States”, Pinzón said on Twitter, who will take office on August 1 to replace Francisco Santos, who resigned.
According to press reports, Ambassador Santos did not enjoy the full appreciation of the State Department for some of his comments that were made public, and also during the last electoral campaign congressmen from the Democratic Center, Duque’s party, openly supported the Donald Trump’s candidacy, which may have caused unrest in the Democratic Party.
Pinzón also appreciated the donation of the 2.5 million Janssen vaccines announced by Biden and recalled that “he has always supported Colombia in all difficult times.”