US President Biden Calls To Express Support For Colombian President Ivan Duque After Helicopter Attack, But Admonishes Him On Rights Of Protesters

US President Joe Biden spoke yesterday with Colombian President Ivan Duque to express U.S. support following the attack on the Colombian presidential helicopter last Friday, according to a statement issued by the White House. The President reaffirmed the partnership between the United States and Colombia, and pledged support for Colombia’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 2.5 million vaccines.

President Biden underscored that law enforcement must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and condemned wanton acts of violence and vandalism.

President Biden also voiced support for the rights of peaceful protestors, underscored that law enforcement must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and condemned wanton acts of violence and vandalism, something the Colombian leader omitted in his official account of the conversation. The two leaders discussed joint security cooperation, a holistic approach to combating the drug trade, the need to promote broad-based economic recovery from the pandemic, and the urgency of addressing the threat of climate change.

The US President also shared his concern regarding the situation in Venezuela and its regional impact and underscored the importance of expanding international consensus in favor of comprehensive negotiations that lead to free and fair elections.

Ivan Duque’s administration has been widely criticized both domestically and in the international community for the sometimes brutal reaction of Colombian police and security forces to nationwide protests against the unpopular government.