Travel to Ecuador and Colombia, October 19-21, 2021

Summary

• In Quito, Ecuador on October 19, the Secretary met with President Guillermo Lasso and Foreign Minister Mauricio Montalvo to continue discussions on democratic governance, counternarcotics cooperation, growing bilateral opportunities for trade and investment, advancing regional security and human rights, migration, climate ambition, and other issues that reflect the importance of the U.S.-Ecuador relationship. On October 20, the Secretary delivered a speech on the challenges facing democracies in the region, and how we can work together to deliver for our people. Additionally, the Secretary participated in a business event that highlighted opportunities for collaboration with small- and medium-sized businesses, including women entrepreneurs, which are the engine of job creation and sustainable economic growth.

• The Secretary then traveled to Bogotá, Colombia from October 20-21, where he met with President Iván Duque and Vice President-Foreign Minister Marta Lucía Ramírez to discuss our shared priorities, including advocating for strong democratic governments throughout the region, supporting sustainable peace and reconciliation, tackling irregular migration, combatting narcotics trafficking, promoting and protecting human rights, and addressing the climate crisis. While in Bogotá, the Secretary also co-led a migration ministerial to address irregular migration with our regional partners and support safe, orderly, and humane migration policies in line with each country’s immigration law, while also protecting vulnerable populations. Additionally, the Secretary opened the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue, engaged in a conversation on democracy and human rights with youth leaders and civic activists, and participated in an event on tackling the climate crisis.