United States Senate, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio and of Colombian origin, arrived in Colombia as part of a tour of Latin America that included Mexico and Panama. His visit is generating expectations in both the political and business spheres, as it comes at a time of tension in the bilateral relationship between Bogotá and Washington.
Moreno, born in Bogotá and who emigrated to the United States as a child, is Ohio's first Latino senator and a rising figure in the conservative wing of the Republican Party. In Colombia, he plans to meet with President Gustavo Petro, former President Álvaro Uribe, business leaders, and local authorities.
The stated objective of his trip is to "understand all the dynamics before making any decisions" in the Senate, especially on issues of security cooperation, trade, and the fight against drug trafficking. However, in previous statements, Moreno has expressed concern about the political direction of the Petro administration and the increase in cocaine production in the country, which, he warns, could lead to measures such as the imposition of tariffs or the decertification of Colombia as a partner in the fight against drugs.
His presence also has a symbolic component: it comes shortly after the criminal conviction of former President Uribe, whom Moreno considers a victim of an attempt to silence the opposition. Furthermore, it coincides with a time when conservative sectors in the region are seeking to strengthen ties with like-minded figures in the United States.
The senator's agenda will conclude in Bogotá before his return to Washington, where he is expected to present his findings to key Senate committees handling hemispheric affairs.
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