Todd D. Robinson, assistant secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), reportedly arrived in Colombia on September 25 for what is planned as a four-day stay in Colombia, according to the US State Department.

On his agenda is co-leading the US delegation to the U.S.-Colombia Counternarcotics Working Group (CNWG) in Bogotá alongside Adam Cohen, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Marcela Escobari, assistant administrator of the USAID bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, will also participate in the event.

Robinson will also “meet with Colombian officials and partners” and “discuss shared counternarcotics challenges and opportunities for greater collaboration with Colombian counterparts,” according to the US State Department.

“Throughout his visit, the assistant secretary will review INL programming that supports Colombian efforts to reduce drug production and trafficking, counter environmental crimes such as illegal mining, and strengthen the rule of law and human rights,” said the US agency.

In addition, Mr. Natiello announced plans to program an additional $6 million from USAID to align with Colombia’s ongoing effort to combat food insecurity.

The five-day visit included bilateral meetings to discuss U.S.-Colombia cooperation on peace implementation, including environmental protection, security, rural development, human rights, counternarcotics, and transnational crime.

US officials also had the opportunity to observe a juvenile drug court hearing, an important tool to divert at-risk juveniles from the penal system before they go to trial. The US Embassy said in a statement that it supports initiatives such as the drug court as part of a commitment to shifting from a purely punitive approach to substance abuse to a public health one, aligned with the announced strategy of Colombia’s President Petro.

Photo: Pedro Moreno