In the joint statement, Petro pointed out that the neighboring country “will be one of the engines of the reactivation of the Colombian economy if a series of efforts are achieved.”
He also maintained that “it is likely that Ecopetrol will be a partner of PDVSA in the exploitation of Venezuela’s gas fields and oil fields. “This will ensure electrical energy in Venezuela and fossil raw materials in Colombia on both routes.”
RAPTURE
Regarding migration, Petro stated that he proposed to the United States a program to humanize the exodus, including economic stabilization bonuses for each family so that they could return to their countries of origin.
For his part, Maduro emphasized that after the opening of the border between the two countries, the economy, tourism, and trade were strengthened.
“With the resident Petro, we are talking about the opening of new flights that will certainly be announced by our ministers and that will bring Colombian cities closer to Venezuela,” said the president of the neighboring country.
He also pointed out that in this meeting, important events were held regarding complementary electricity for the western region of Venezuela.
“We have reached agreements for investments, for energy security in the development of gas and oil, and we have reached a consensus on cooperation in the fight against illegal mining in the Amazon. We discussed the issues of peace, and Colombia has the support of Venezuela for the Total Peace project,” said Maduro.
Venezuela reached an agreement with the United States in October for the “direct repatriation” of Venezuelans when Democratic President Joe Biden, the candidate for re-election in 2024, is under strong pressure from the immigration issue.
The Darién jungle, which is 575,000 hectares, is one of the most dangerous corridors for migrants trying to reach the United States. As of October 31, more than 458,000 people have crossed it in 2023, 200,000 more than in the whole of last year.
The majority are from Venezuela, a country where more than 7.5 million people have migrated, according to the United Nations, a number unknown to Caracas.
According to these estimates, more than 2.8 million people live in Colombia.
Maduro took advantage of the meeting to approve Venezuela’s “full and total support” for peace negotiations with the neighboring country.
