California’s potential legalization of marijuana will be an important theme at the Tuxtlua Summit in Cartagena, Colombia.
The Tuxtla Mechanism for Dialogue and Agreement Summit focuses on a variety of issues affecting Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. This is the first time that Colombia and the Dominican Republic will participate in the summit.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he hopes to gain the support of the attending countries against California’s marijuana referendum. Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin has said that if the referendum passes, it will be important to call a meeting between affected countries.
“While we continue to work together, we will further expand cooperation in Central America on the issue of drug trafficking, there comes a time when we cannot just continue cooperation against trafficking but must rethink the entire drug policy,” Holguin told El Tiempo.
Nearly all of the participating countries play an important role in drug trafficking routes to the U.S. Holguin said it is especially important for Mexico and Colombia to have a voice in the drug policy changes that will arise if the referendum is passed.
Following a meeting Monday with Santos and Holguin, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said that marijuana legalization in California would not affect U.S. drug policy and the U.S. federal government does not support legalization.
At Tuesday’s summit Colombia will showcase recent developments in business, security, public services, and biofuels. The summit will also focus on climate change, fortifying democracy, and international security.