On May 28-29, 2024, the 11th High-Level Dialogue between Colombia and the U.S. took place in Bogotá, led by Colombia's Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma. The event marked the announcement of the "Vida Colombia Strategy," a comprehensive plan for strengthening bilateral relations and joint action on a diversified agenda focused on peacebuilding, security, the energy transition, inclusion, and social justice.
During the dialogue, the U.S. praised Colombian President Gustavo Petro's policies on migration, particularly the extension of regularization and protection for nearly 3 million Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. Foreign Minister Murillo unveiled plans to open new Colombian consulates in the U.S. and provide thousands of work visas and summer job opportunities for Colombians, alongside a family reunification program expected to benefit 58,000 Colombian families.
The delegations from both nations committed to collaborative efforts in various strategic areas, such as environmental and climate initiatives, energy transition, peace, democracy, human rights, and combating crime and narcotics. They also emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Colombia Plan for Racial and Ethnic Equality (CAPREE) in promoting equity for marginalized communities.
