Foreign minister: Venezuela ties to remain constructive
Bula made the announcements during an interview with Noticias Caracol, outlining the foreign policy direction of the administration that succeeds President Gustavo Petro on Aug. 7. Colombia had been one of Washington’s main allies for years, Bula said, and working teams are preparing to restore those ties.
“For me, an embassy in a dictatorship legitimizes the dictatorship,” Bula said, referring to Cuba and Nicaragua.
The future foreign minister said the partnership with Washington will be a central component of the strategy to combat criminal organizations operating across Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador, according to Infobae. On Venezuela, Bula said the new government will aim to maintain constructive relations with the interim administration led by Delcy Rodríguez, with the goal of strengthening bilateral trade, generating economic growth and addressing shared challenges such as organized crime along the border. He described Venezuela’s political situation as one requiring a gradual process.
Bula told Blu Radio that the new administration would review existing agreements to determine whether they serve the national interest and justify the resources Colombia allocates to organizations including the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
The foreign minister-designate also said he will promote a modernization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with an emphasis on economic diplomacy, commercial diplomacy and cyber diplomacy, according to Cubadebate.