The Latest Breaking News from Gustavo Petro

BOGOTA, Colombia — The Biden administration on Monday launched a weeklong courtship of three of Latin America's newest leftist leaders in a bid to find pragmatic common ground — rather than ideological confrontation — on a host of issues, including immigration, drug trafficking and the widening influence of China.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has backed Colombia’s recent efforts to rethink its drug policy and said the Biden administration and Colombia’s newly elected government will work together on rural development programs and interdiction efforts, while sharing intelligence on drug trafficking groups

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said they discussed stepping up the interdiction of narcotics at sea and enhanced intelligence sharing on drug trafficking.

Antony Blinken’s trip to Colombia, Chile and Peru is part of US effort to reaffirm commitment to South American allies.

(Refiles to correct paragraph 8 spelling of "Petro")

Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Latin America on Monday to reassert Washington's commitment to the region and meet with three new leftist leaders, amid concerns that neglect of the hemisphere has let China make economic inroads.

A machete slung across his chest, sugarcane worker Aldemar Moreno guards the entrance to the farm where he has been employed for 23 years, ready to defend it from land occupations by indigenous groups and others that have erupted around Colombia.

The top commander of Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, which is exploring a resumption of peace talks with the leftist government, told Reuters any process must seek profound change for all of society and not political power for a few guerrilla commanders.

LA TOMA, Colombia — Shovel and wooden pan in hand, rubber boots hoisted up to his shins, Leider Ocoró Ambuila strolled past the zapote tree, past the stands of ripening bananas, past the cow pen, down to the banks of the Ovejas river.

Bolsonaro is already threatening to ignore the results of the upcoming election if he loses

A tax reform proposed by Colombia's leftist government will put mining investment and production at risk, despite modifications to the bill announced this week, the head of the country's mining association said on Tuesday.