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Colombia - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-COLOMBIAN RELATIONS In 1822, the United States became one of the first countries to recognize the new republic and to establish a resident diplomatic mission. Today, about 25,000 U.S. citizens are registered with the U.S. Embassy as living in Colombia, most of them dual nationals. Currently, there are about 250 American businesses conducting operations in Colombia. In 1995-96, the United States and Colombia signed important agreements on environmental protection and civil aviation. The two countries have signed agreements on asset sharing and chemical control. In 1997, the United States and Colombia signed an important maritime ship-boarding agreement to allow for search of suspected drug-running vessels. During the Pastrana administration, relations with the United States improved significantly. The United States responded to the Colombian Governments request for international support for Plan Colombia by providing substantial assistance designed to increase Colombias counter-narcotics capabilities and support human rights, humanitarian assistance, alternative development and economic and judicial reforms. The U.S. has continued close cooperation with Colombia under the Uribe administration. Recognizing that terrorism and the illicit narcotics trade in Colombia are inextricably linked, the U.S. Congress granted new expanded statutory authorities in 2002 making U.S. assistance to Colombia more flexible in order to better support President Uribes unified campaign against narcotics and terrorism. The results thus far have been impressive, but much remains to be done. U.S. policy toward Colombia supports the Colombian Governments efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions, promote respect for human rights and the rule of law, intensify counter-narcotics efforts, foster socioeconomic development, address immediate humanitarian needs and end the threats to democracy posed by narcotics trafficking and terrorism. Promoting security, stability and prosperity in Colombia will continue as long-term American interests in the region. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--William Braucher Wood Deputy Chief of Mission--Milton K. Drucker Political Counselor-- John S. Creamer Economic Counselor--Lawrence J. Gumbiner Consul General--Raymond G. McGrath Commercial Counselor--Larry Farris Management Counselor--Kathleen Hodai Military Group Commander--COL Kevin D. Saderup Narcotics Affairs Section Director--Julie Gianelloni Connor Defense Attache--COL Rey A. Velez Public Affairs Officer--Mark Wentworth (scheduled to arrive in March 2007) Regional Security Office--Robert Hartung USAID Director--Liliana Ayalde U.S. Embassy Calle 22D Bis, No. 47-51 Bogota, Colombia (tel: (571) 315-0811; fax: (571) 315-2197). The mailing address is APO AA 34038. U.S. Consular Agency in Baranquilla Calle 77, No. 68-15 Baranquilla, Colombia (tel: (575) 353-0970 or 0974; fax: (575) 353-5216). Other Contact Information U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20520 Main Switchboard: 202-647-4000 (http://www.state.gov) U.S. Department of Commerce, Trade Information Center, International Trade Administration 1401 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC 20230 (tel: 800-USA-TRADE, Internet: http://trade.gov) Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce Calle 98, @2264, Oficina 1209 Apartado Aereo 8008 Bogota, Colombia (tel: (571) 621-5042/7925/6838, fax: (571) 612-6838, email: 73050.3127@compuserve.com) Chapters in Cali, Cartagena, Medellin.