The outleaving Colombian president told the press at Jose Marti International Airport that the purpose of his trip was to ask the world for solidarity with the Caribbean nation—threatened by the blockade and pressures from the United States—and to call on Washington to establish a respectful dialogue.

Regarding expressions of support for Cuba, Petro underscored the urgency of continuing to advocate for the lifting of the blockade, a necessary condition for initiating an exchange on equal terms that generates benefits for the entire continent.

He also referred to the hundreds of young Colombians studying medicine in Cuba, who could serve as the vanguard for promoting agreements leading to solutions for the common problems facing humanity and the Americas.

Petro was seen off by the Caribbean nation’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Josefina Vidal, and other Foreign Ministry officials.

The Colombian leader had been received by his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel, with whom he held official talks.

The visit served as an opportunity to reaffirm a shared commitment to Latin American and Caribbean integration, peace, multilateralism, and sustainable development, even amidst warnings from Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella regarding the severing of diplomatic ties with Cuba.

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