Barack Obama might swear in a newly restored plaza in Cartagena as part of the opening events for the Summit of the Americas, to take place in the city April 14 and 15, reported local media Wednesday.
“We already spoke to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the issue and we proposed that President Obama cut the inaugural tape, but if he is not able to, it could be another person from the United States delegation,” said Cartagena mayor Campo Elias Teran.
The proposed plaza, Benkos Bioho, is one of three plazas that have undergone renovations that began in November. Their induction will be part of the ceremonies in the days leading up to the summit.
The name of the plaza is a tribute to Benkos Bioho, one of the most influential African slaves in Cartagena who escaped Spanish rule to form runaway slave settlements in northern Colombia.
Obama will spend three days and two nights in Cartagena for the meeting.