The members of the Political Section assist the Ambassador in managing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Colombia and serve as the primary interlocutors with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a wide range of foreign policy issues, including the promotion of democracy and human rights, social issues, rule of law and efforts to combat illegal armed groups and international organized crime, while addressing regional issues of mutual concern.
The Political Section is responsible for analysis and reporting to the United States Government on the official positions of the Colombian Government on international political matters as well as on political developments in Colombia as they unfold, for example, elections and significant pending legislation. Additionally, the Political Section compiles information for the State Department’s annual reports on human rights, religious freedom and trafficking in persons.
The Political Section works with the Colombian Government, other U.S. Government agencies, and the U.S. and Colombian private sectors and civil society to promote progress in the following areas: political-military relations, civil/human rights efforts, combating illegal armed groups, assistance to vulnerable populations, Leahy Act compliance, and government-to-government relations at multiple levels.