Petro Expresses Gratitude to Cuba and Venezuela for Peace Efforts in Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro thanks Cuba and Venezuela for mediating peace discussions. He met Pope Leo XIV, expressing aspirations for renewed talks with the ELN guerrilla group. Topics included migration and climate change, alongside an invitation for the Pope to visit Colombia. Petro offered cultural gifts to signify Colombia’s identity.
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia recently expressed gratitude to Cuba and Venezuela for their roles in facilitating peace talks concerning his country. This declaration came after a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where Petro stated that discussions on Colombian peace were a key topic. The National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group with whom peace discussions were halted four months ago, appears open to reconvening in either Cuba or Venezuela, as revealed by the presidency’s statements.
Petro particularly thanked Cuba, noting, “I thank Cuba and Venezuela – specifically Cuba, which has suffered so much – for offering its territory to talk about peace.” During his remarks, he referenced effective love and the complexities of power, reflecting on the situation at hand as he conversed with the Supreme Pontiff.
The Colombian leader had a 20-minute audience with the Pope, which covered a variety of pressing issues including migration, the climate crisis, and the urgent need to resolve ongoing conflicts, particularly in Colombia. He similarly extended an invitation to the Pope to visit Colombia, emphasizing the region of Chiribiquete, notable for being the first land to rise above water on the planet, according to him.
In addition, Petro designated the city of Santa Marta as “the heart of the world” and expressed a desire for the Pope to include Colombia in his travels, particularly during his upcoming visit to Peru. He asserted that the Pontiff, who has roots in the United States and a deep understanding of Latin American politics, might be key in persuading the U.S. government to refocus its efforts from anti-migration stances to addressing climate change.
As a token of goodwill, Petro presented the Pope with a Muisca Raft replica, a handmade Arhuaca backpack crafted by indigenous women, a hammock from Morroa in Sucre, and Colombian coffee. These gifts symbolized Colombia’s rich cultural identity and hospitality, showcasing the nation’s diversity.
In summary, President Gustavo Petro’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV highlighted the importance of international support in Colombia’s peace efforts, specifically thanking Cuba and Venezuela for their potential involvement. The conversation spanned various pressing global issues, and Petro’s invitation to the Pope underscored Colombia’s unique cultural heritage. The gesture of gifting artifacts and coffee to the Pope emphasized a desire for productive dialogue centered around peace, migration, and climate change.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
