Congresswoman Bush Statement Following Congressional Delegation to Colombia, Mexico
Washington D.C.– Last week, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (IL-04.) joined a congressional delegation led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, to Colombia and Mexico, where they met with local leaders and activists to discuss the United States’ critical partnership with Latin America.
“My visit to Colombia and Mexico highlighted how critical collaboration is when addressing regional and economic security, mass migration, and racial equity,” said Congresswoman Bush. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with human rights groups and progressive lawmakers in each of these countries and will proudly carry these conversations with me as we continue to work to strengthen our bilateral relations.”
The delegation met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Vice President Francia Márquez, Senate President Roy Barreras, and Chamber President David Racero to learn more about their recently-elected progressive government's commitment to implementing a historic platform rooted in racial, social, and environmental equity. During their visit, the Congresswoman participated in a panel about human rights and also met with many civil society organizations to discuss the importance of strengthening ties between the United States and Colombia in the global fight to advance human rights.
“In Colombia, we discussed our countries’ shared commitments toward advancing human rights, acting on the global climate crisis, and implementing racial and environmental equity. We also discussed how to best address the high rates of femicide and forced disappearances of marginalized communities across the globe” said Congresswoman Bush. “Our delegation hosted conversations with activists, Afro-Colombian and Indigenous youth, community organizers, and lawmakers alike, serving as a reminder that by working together we can establish systems of government that serve all communities. I am proud to have witnessed the new progressive administration’s work towards achieving equity and am excited to see their influence on the region.”
Following Colombia, the delegation went to Mexico and met with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrad, Senate Majority Leader Ricardo Monreal, and Governor of Tabasco Carlos Manuel Merino Campos to discuss bilateral relations and how to address various economic and regional security issues. The delegation also met with various civil society organizations to discuss community violence and visited a migrant shelter run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) where the lawmakers had the opportunity to speak directly with asylum seekers.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to discuss the positive future of the U.S.-Mexico relationship alongside Mexican leaders, activists, and organizations,” said Congresswoman Bush. “From discussions on community violence to femicide and forced disappearance to the migration crisis, it is clear that our country’s foreign policy must focus on strengthening bilateral efforts to advance social, racial, and economic equity. United States policies have a significant impact on human rights, and our work is to make sure that those rights are valued and protected.”
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Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Progressive Caucus Deputy Whip, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress.