Cali, Colombia – In a resounding call for change, Colombia and Mexico took the helm at the Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Saturday, urging 15 participating nations to unite their voices and reshape the conventional discourse surrounding the global drug issue. With a shared commitment to providing comprehensive solutions to this pressing challenge, the two nations led the charge during the conference’s closing ceremony.
Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena, speaking alongside her Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Leyva, emphasized the critical need for a paradigm shift in addressing the drug problem. “We wanted to support Colombia in this meeting because now, more than ever, it is necessary to advance in this paradigm shift and address the drug problem with a more comprehensive approach,” stated Minister Bárcena.
The conference, which commenced on Thursday in the vibrant Colombian city of Cali, served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among Latin American and Caribbean nations. Together, Bárcena and Leyva called upon the entire region to tackle the root causes underlying the persistent expansion of drug trafficking.
Later today, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador will officially conclude the conference. President López Obrador embarked on his first official visit to Colombia on Friday, underscoring the significance of collective action and solidarity among nations in addressing one of the world’s most complex and pressing challenges.
The Latin American and Caribbean Conference marks a pivotal moment in the region’s efforts to combat the drug problem with a unified approach. With Colombia and Mexico at the forefront of this call for change, the conference serves as a powerful catalyst for a more coordinated and effective response to this global issue.
