Obama adds meeting with Santos to Colombia visit

U.S. President Barack Obama will stay an extra day in Colombia after the Summit of the Americas, announced Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Wednesday.

Obama will stay the extra day to officially meet with his Colombian counterpart after the Sixth Summit of the Americas which will be held on April 14 and 15 in the coastal city of Cartagena.

The U.S. President “is not only coming (to the Summit of the Americas), but he will stay longer. He is coming for a bilateral visit to Colombia,” said Santos.

“We will meet all Sunday afternoon,” said Santos.

Ecuador President Rafael Correa announced he would not attend the summit to protest Washington’s refusal to allow Cuba to take part. Ecuador is a member of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), which threatened to boycott the summit if Cuba was not in attendance.

According to Santos, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega confirmed his attendence and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he would attend if his health permits.

Related posts

Former presidents of Colombia’s congress formally accused of corruption

Former president maintains control over Colombia’s Liberal Party

UN Security Council extends monitoring of Colombia’s peace process