The Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, is lending a hand to foreign diplomacy by representing president Donald Trump on his six-day trip to the four Latin American nations of Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama.
Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, began the trip this Sunday and have already visited Colombia and Argentina, where Pence was very emphatic about the U.S. commitment to ending the tragedy of tyranny in Venezuela.
Juan Manuel Santos to Mike Pence: No Military Intervention in Venezuela
The Vice President and his wife arrived on Sunday afternoon to the city of Cartagena, Colombia, where he held a meeting with President Juan Manuel Santos.
Both leaders discussed a range of issues in the bilateral relations, including how the fight against drugs was going and how swift actions are needed to protect the people of both nations.
There was also an update on the progress implementing the peace deals with the rebel group of FARC and the current trade and economic deals between the U.S. and Colombia.
The meeting ended with both leaders expressing their mutual concerns about the wrecking of democracy in Venezuela by Nicolas Maduro and his attempts to rewrite the country’s constitution to stay in power.
“President Trump’s made it very clear we will not stand by while Venezuela collapses into a dictatorship,” said Mike Pence.
President Juan Manuel Santos said that Colombia is in favor of diplomatic measures to bring change to Venezuela and that a U.S. military intervention should not even be considered.
On Monday, Mike Pence and Karen Pence spent time with the migrant families in Cartagena who fled from the regime in Venezuela. Pence said that their stories of their struggle for food were heartbreaking.
Mike Pence Praises Argentina as a Model for the Region
On Monday, the Vice President arrived at the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires where he met with president, Mauricio Macri.
In contrast to the downward spiral in Venezuela, Mike Pence praised Argentina and Macri’s recent economic reforms. Pence said that Argentina is an inspiration and a model for the region and that a secure Latin America is vital to ensure the security of the United States.
Foreign investors also praised Macri’s administration for its cuts to government spending and taxes on Argentinian exports. Pence also promised more trade partnerships between the U.S. and Argentina.
Pence mentioned Venezuela again, this time by saying that a stable and peaceful Venezuela is in the best interest of the entire continent.
Chile and Panama
In Santiago, Chile, Mike Pence will probably face question over the U.S withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Paris Climate Accord. And In Panama City, he will talk about the recent diplomatic relationship between Panama and China and he is expected to visit the newly expanded Panama Canal.
In both countries, we expect to hear more about the current crisis in Venezuela and how other Latin American nations should help to restore democracy in that country.
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