The US reaffirmed its commitment to investing in the development of rural Colombia, after National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien told local newspaper El Tiempo that the US plans to invest up to $5 billion in private funds over a three-year period.
Colombia, too, welcomed the idea of US investment, with President Ivan Duque reiterating his support for American Mauricio Claver-Carone to head the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has 48 members and supports economic and social development, and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In a joint statement with Duque, O’Brien said, “This initiative will focus on key elements of the 21st-century growth in Colombia, the rule of law, security, infrastructure, rural development and democracy.”
Colombia is set to form a key part of the US’ new strategy of shifting supply chains away from China. Just days earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the Dominican Republic to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Rodolfo Abinader. This indicates that the US is attempting to ingratiate itself to regional partners, expand its sphere of influence, pre-emptively curb any possible Chinese incursions, and wean itself off of its dependence on the Chinese market.
In fact, just this week, the US National Security Council unveiled its Western Hemisphere Strategic Framework. In it, the US mentions how it is seeking to expand its “deep geographic, economic, and cultural” ties in its “neighborhood”. Simultaneously it seeks to counter “malign political influence” and “economic aggression” of China, which it says has increased its “state-driven trade, investment, diplomatic, technology, media, security, and health outreach” in the region.
In accordance with these goals, Duque met with US officials on Monday to launch the Colombia Growth Initiative (CGI). In attendance were O’Brien, Southern Command Chief Craig Fuller, Presidential Adviser Mauricio Claver-Carone, and US Ambassador to Colombia Philip Goldberg. Duque said they discussed coordination and cooperation with regards to the coronavirus pandemic, drug trafficking, and economic integration. He is confident that the CGI will tap into vital resources in the country’s remote and rural areas, facilitating upward social mobility.
O’Brien, too, mentioned that there is “no great ally in the region” than Colombia, and said that the US will provide all the necessary medical equipment to help the South American country deal with the virus outbreak. This point was reiterated by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) President Adam Boehler, who said, “There is no other country more special for us than Colombia,” adding that the US has already invested over $1 billion in the country.
The US National Security Adviser said, “This economic-based initiative will complement the U.S. expansive efforts to improve governance, security, and rule of law abroad... the U.S. seeks to strengthen our relationships with friends and allies in the region to achieve lasting security.”
In light of these engagements with the Dominican Republic and now Colombia, it is clear that the US is seeking to increase its reach in Latin America in order to deter Chinese expansionism and simultaneously shift its own supply chains away form the East Asian giant.
US Vows to Invest $5 Billion in Colombia as Part of Its New Western Hemisphere Strategy
National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said the US has “no great ally in the region”.
August 19, 2020
(L-R) US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, Colombian President Ivan Duque, and US International Development Finance Corporation CEO Adam Boehler SOURCE: US EMBASSY IN COLOMBIA