[music] Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, for receiving us. Hey, I'm so glad to be back in Colombia. It had been a long time. I came last time as a senator, but during the last 4 years, in my role as senator and then as secretary of state, we hadn't traveled here, and I think that to some extent that shows a bit of the distance that had been created between our governments, which is not natural because the links between the United States and Colombia are almost impossible to replicate in another country in the region. These are links that exist on a personal level, on a cultural level. specifically at the level of our people and also at the economic level. And I believe that we not only have the opportunity to restore those natural relationships that exist between our countries, but to enter a new stage of cooperation that is unprecedented, even stronger. We talk a lot about security issues, and security is always key because without security there can be no prosperity, but the opportunities that exist between Colombia and the United States are much more than just security. Obviously, that's the basis of everything. Without security, it is impossible to function as a country, as a society. But beyond that, what happened to the fact that sometimes people say I shout too loudly and now they want to tell me I'm too quiet? Well, but they heard me fine. Sometimes it is clear that without security a country cannot progress, and the security threats that Colombia faces are the same ones we face in the United States . The same networks, the same criminal groups that , although they commit their crimes here, are also destined to commit crimes in the United States, to harm our people. But that's really the foundation, that's the key, that's the most important thing for any government; the most important function of any government in any country in the world is the security of its people. But on top of that, one can build prosperity, which is extremely important for progress. And the opportunities that exist for Colombia at the economic level are incredible, and they are opportunities that I know the president has in mind and that we can pursue together in a way that benefits both countries. We have a lot to do because unfortunately this government has inherited a series of disasters, bad decisions that were made. We felt somewhat the same when we took power a year and a half ago, but you are facing the mistakes of the last 4 years and you have to fix that. On top of that, there was a devastating earthquake, which was very tragic, but there are also incredible opportunities, and we are going to use this opportunity we have now, given that the ties between our governments are so strong, to ensure that we not only focus on the issue of security, which is very important and will be key and central to our relationship, but also focus on the opportunity to create prosperity that will help the American people and obviously also help the Colombian people. And that relationship between these countries has a direct impact on the daily lives of people here, but also people in the United States, especially in South Florida, where I have lived the vast majority of my life. Um, if you'll allow me, Mr. President, I'm going to say a few words in English because there are some journalists here who also speak in English. First of all, I want to thank the president for welcoming us. Uh, I'm not going to say it in Spanish. When you travel to a country, you have the opportunity to exchange ideas with the president, a head of state whom you knew before becoming president, before becoming a politician, because of the mutual relationships we have with people. We were even talking and commenting recently that two and a half years ago we were at the same table at a wedding in South Florida. So, to arrive at a place where the president of the country is someone I've known personally for several years before he went crazy and became president and a politician. That's him coming. [laughs] I say it's strange to travel to a country and meet a head of state and a president whom you've known for years, before he was president, before he was in politics. And I was saying that when he went crazy, he got into politics, but he's going to do a great job for this country. And I know it, I know it , I know it because I've known him since before he was president. This is an energetic man, a man of vision, a strong man, and a brave man because [music] he is confronting a very complex situation that he has inherited. He has inherited many disasters. Obviously the country has just faced the disaster of an earthquake, but there is also an institutional disaster that is due to 4 years of a bad government that greatly damaged the relationship between the United States and Colombia, something that is not natural. The United States and Colombia have a very strong bond that goes far beyond government cooperation. It is a cultural bond between people, a social bond. I can tell you personally, having lived in South Florida for most of my life, how closely we follow what happens in Colombia, because it has a direct impact on life in South Florida and also in our country. This is the natural state of things for the United States and Colombia to be allies, and the last 4 years have been an aberration between the governments, but this is something that is going to change, that is clearly changing. The most important obligation of any government is to offer security to its people. This is the number one obligation, and this is an issue that you will confront here, which I am sure the president and his team are very confident about, and we will do everything because security is the most important requirement of a government, but prosperity comes after, and that is the opportunity to create a country and an economy that offers the opportunity to create great prosperity for all its people. And something we can do together in the area of energy trade, which allows both countries to benefit. The people in the United States for whom I work and the people in Colombia for whom the president and his team work. I am excited to be back after not being here for so many years and to be with someone I know who has a great vision and energy for the future. I love being in a country that has been our strongest ally in the region for many years, and we hope not only to restore that, but also to create a golden age of relations between our two countries and our people. [applause] Good afternoon, a very special greeting to everyone. Today Barranquilla has been the setting for a strategic conversation for the present and future of Colombia and our relationship with the United States of America. Welcoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio here in the Colombian Caribbean has a special meaning. Barranquilla has historically been Colombia's golden gateway to the world and represents an absolute conviction of my government. Colombia is not governed solely from Bogotá. Colombia is governed from its regions. I thank Secretary Rubio for his presence. We are honored by your presence. He has also been an inspiration to fight this battle for freedom, democracy and institutional integrity. Because there is no Latino in the world who does not feel represented by Marco Rubio, who has always done so in the best way for our community. So thank you, dear secretary, for being here. It is an honor and a source of pride to have him in Barranquilla. I also want to publicly acknowledge the solidarity of the United States government after the earthquake we suffered on August 10. They have helped us so far with $26.5 million in humanitarian assistance, in addition to everything they are doing in response to the fires that our brothers and sisters in Tolima are suffering today. No country in the world has helped us as much as the United States. And today we propose to take the next step, to move from solidarity in the emergency to a long-term strategic partnership. This meeting has produced a roadmap that we have called the Barranquilla agreements, centered around three major themes that are of substantial importance to our country and to the hemisphere. Rebuild the nation, recover the economy, and secure the hemisphere. And it must be said, we are resuming a relationship that has been historic and very close, which was interrupted for 4 years, but which has always been there in the deepest foundations of the Colombian soul, because the United States has been our ally, we have been their allies and when the United States and Colombia have worked together, the only thing our people have had is progress, security and development. The primary purpose of these Barranquilla agreements is reconstruction and economic recovery. The earthquake left enormous challenges for our fellow citizens in housing, hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, public services and productive capacity. We proposed working with the United States on cooperation, investment and financing mechanisms, including the International Development Finance Corporation , other agencies, the private sector and companies from both countries. We want to attract investment towards our areas of infrastructure, energy, housing, technology and productive reconstruction. Colombia will also do its part. We are going to do what we have to do regarding fiscal discipline, spending efficiency, legal certainty, and better conditions for investment. I also asked the Secretary of State for support before multilateral organizations to facilitate instruments that would allow this transition to be financed without sacrificing our country's economic recovery. We are proposing to the United States a partnership in which Colombia contributes projects, territory, productive capacity, resources, and clear rules. And the United States contributes investment, financing, technology, and entrepreneurial capacity. Another important point is shared prosperity. I have proposed to the Secretary to consolidate a bilateral dialogue on prosperity with concrete projects, responsible, financing, and timelines, the work of which will be continued by our teams in Washington. We identified opportunities with the Secretary of Energy, Infrastructure, Technology, Industry, Reconstruction and Critical Minerals, such as the agreement that was just signed. Colombia has, Mr. Secretary, a privileged geographical position . access to two oceans, strategic resources and human talent. We need to convert all of Colombia's advantages into investment in factories, production chains, and decent jobs for our people. Another important point is security and the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. Colombia wants to consolidate itself once again as the main hemispheric security partner with the United States. And we will be the main partners here in South America. The threats of the 21st century, dear compatriots, demand new capabilities. That is why we have proposed to the government, and today I proposed it again to the Secretary, the Patriot Plan 21st Century to modernize airplanes, radars, drones, helicopters, anti-drone systems, air defense, mobility, intelligence, cyber defense, special forces and maintenance and operation. Colombia will contribute its own resources and we hope to jointly build capabilities to face increasingly sophisticated threats, but we need the support and investment of the United States and we will work decisively in the fight against drug trafficking. We're going to start fumigating. We are going after the laboratories, the precursors, the routes, the drug trafficking leaders, and the armed narco-terrorist organizations. We are going after money launderers, their criminal assets, and those international networks that pose a great danger, not only to the hemisphere, but also to humanity. Colombia is willing to take on annual goals, verifiable indicators, and concrete commitments. We will do our part, Mr. Secretary, and we hope to build on that basis a co-responsibility that is effective for both nations. Another important point, the shield of the Americas. We are now operational. Colombia will fully comply with its responsibilities. We will have our headquarters in Medellín and we will do everything necessary to attack organized crime and give those criminals the place they deserve, which is a jail or a grave. And I say this without euphemism. Any bandit who does not submit will be taken out of service as is legally required. We also spoke with the secretary about Venezuela. For Colombia, this is not a distant issue. We share more than 2,000 km of living border with the neighboring country. [clears throat] And of course, everything that happens in Venezuela has direct consequences in Colombia in terms of security, migration, drug trafficking, smuggling, armed organizations and also energy. Colombia will participate responsibly with the United States in efforts to ensure regional stability and will deepen cooperation on border, migration and security matters. Our interest, Mr. Secretary, is to contribute to ensuring that any evolution produces stability, institutionality and security, avoiding any problems. Another important point, I told the Secretary, Colombia in the world, our foreign policy is based on a fundamental principle. Dear compatriots, Colombia relates to the world from its own national interests, with sovereignty, autonomy, pragmatism and a long-term vision. And in that respect, we are perfectly aligned with the United States. Colombia has natural resources, a geographic location, human talent, and strategic assets. Our diplomacy must turn those strengths into opportunities to consolidate our position as the best partner of the United States. And we will do it, Mr. Secretary. This is a new rebirth. Another issue that I find extremely important is migration and the rule of law. We agreed to deepen cooperation on migration, information exchange, biometric tools, identification of wanted persons, combating migrant smuggling networks and strengthening border controls. Our principle is simple. Legal, safe migration. and orderly. Our principle is the same as that shared by the United States. We are not against migration, we are against illegal migration, which is certainly different. And there is a topic that touches my heart, and I told the secretary about it. Secretary, you know we had a consulate here years ago, he told me. "I had no idea. Well, I ask you from the bottom of my heart, as a son of this region, to open a United States consulate for us in Barranquilla, the alternate capital of Colombia. And the Colombian government commits to providing the facilities. We need this possibility to be studied, dear Secretary, because it's a long-held aspiration. First there was a consulate in Barranquilla, then in Bogotá, and then they took the one in Barranquilla away. So things have to return to the original order, and we hope to soon have the American consulate here in Curramba la Bella, in Barranquilla . And of course, another issue that I consider very important is cooperation in tracing the money of criminals. We want to identify and prosecute unjustified assets, money laundering, resources derived from corruption, criminal capital, and assets hidden abroad, strengthening judicial and financial cooperation when appropriate. All based on evidence, of course, within the framework of the law, due process, and respect for institutions." Because capturing criminals isn't enough, my dear friends. We also have to strike at the fortunes that sustain these criminal structures. We have to reach into the pockets of the bandits, because that's what hurts them the most. This was a frank, profound, strategic, and cordial conversation. We didn't just talk about what the United States can do for Colombia; we talked about what Colombia and the United States can do together for the hemisphere. Colombia contributes its geographic location, strategic resources, productive capacity, human talent, an experienced public force, and a government willing to fulfill its commitments. And we wanted this new stage to begin here in Barranquilla, in the Colombian Caribbean, and from the regions. The Barranquilla agreements must now be transformed into projects, investment, jobs, cooperation, security, and concrete results: rebuilding the nation, recovering the economy, and protecting the hemisphere. Starting today, our teams begin working to turn those aspirations, those dreams, those projects into realities. May God bless the United States of America. May God bless Colombia. Today, more than ever, I stand firm for my country. Thank you, dear friends. [applause] Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary.