The Colombian president will go to China next week and should sign a letter of intention to align with the program
Colombian President Gustavo Petro (Human Colombia, left) said on Tuesday (6.MAI.2025) that he intends to join the “New Silk Route” – Global Integration Project led by China.
Petro’s idea is to sign a letter of intent to enter the program during his visit to Beijing from May 12 to 13. From the letter, which would not be a definitive entry, the Colombian chief executive would work on an adhesion in a next government.
In an event held at the Nariño Palace, the official residence of the president of Colombia, Petro said that the country’s entry into the Chinese project will still undergo a popular consultation. He stated that he will talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping (CCCH), that adhesion will be conditional on the reduction of the Colombian commercial deficit with China.
“I will sign the silk route agreement, your letter of intent. Let’s talk face to face. I won’t kneel. Let’s raise current questions: Why does China have a commercial surplus? We have an annual deficit of $ 14 billion. This is leading us to poverty, and I don’t want China to be a poverty producer.”said Petro.
Colombia’s entry into the Chinese project can be an important geopolitical movement for China. If it is realized, the Chinese would be approaching one of the leading commercial partners of the United States in South America.
Like the Poder360Colombia is one of 7 South American countries where China is still behind the US in business partnerships.
Earlier this year, Petro and US President Donald Trump (Republican Party) because of tariffs implemented by the White House.
Colombia is currently in the rotating presidency of the Latin American and Caribbean community and leads the organization of the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-América Latin Forum, scheduled for May 12 and 13. Petro’s trip to Beijing is part of this event. The President (PT) will also be present.
In conversation with journalists on Wednesday (7.MAI), the spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, was asked about the manifestation of the Colombian leader. He said the Chinese government would not comment.
“China is working with Colombia to actively promote preparations for the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Latin China-América Forum. Regarding the specific question you mentioned, I have no news to disclose at the moment.”declared the spokesman.
Nova Rota Da Seda
Launched in 2013, China’s initiative, whose official name is “Belt and Route”, is one of the largest economic programs of the Asian giant. It includes infrastructure and logistics projects that interconnect the country for land and water to Central Asia, south and southeast of the continent, Europe, Africa and other places in the world.
Currently, 149 countries are already part of the initiative, with 23 countries in Latin America – Colombia can become the 24th Latin country to join the program. Brazil is not part of the “new silk route”.
