An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Carter Reaffirms Support for Peace Process in Colombia

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

While en route to Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the Conference of the Defense Ministers of the Americas, Defense Secretary Ash Carter spoke by phone today with Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas to discuss the U.S.-Colombia defense relationship, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.

Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas signs a guest book before meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work at the Pentagon, May 4, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas signs a guest book before meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work at the Pentagon, May 4, 2016. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called Villegas on Oct. 10, 2016, to express regrets for having to cancel a planned visit to Colombia. During the call, the defense leaders discussed a range of shared security issues, and Carter invited Villegas to meet with him at the Pentagon. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas signs a guest book before meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work at the Pentagon, May 4, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Guest Book Signature
Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas signs a guest book before meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work at the Pentagon, May 4, 2016. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called Villegas on Oct. 10, 2016, to express regrets for having to cancel a planned visit to Colombia. During the call, the defense leaders discussed a range of shared security issues, and Carter invited Villegas to meet with him at the Pentagon. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Photo By: Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
VIRIN: 160504-D-DT527-087

In a statement summarizing the call, Cook said the secretary expressed his regrets for being unable to visit Colombia during this trip as originally planned because of Hurricane Matthew, and he reaffirmed the strong U.S. support for the peace process in Colombia.

Humanitarian Demining Support

The two defense leaders discussed the status of the peace talks and a range of shared security issues,” the press secretary said. As a sign of the continued U.S. commitment to Colombia, he added, Carter informed the Villegas that the Defense Department will provide $10 million in humanitarian demining support.

“Minister Villegas thanked the secretary for the U.S. commitment to Colombia and expressed a desire to continue expanding the bilateral defense relationship,” Cook said.

Carter acknowledged that the peace process would prevent Villegas from attending the defense ministers conference in person, and said he is looking forward to engaging with Colombian Vice Minister of Defense Anibal Fernandez de Soto there, Cook said. The secretary invited Villegas to meet with him at the Pentagon in the near future, the press secretary added.

Related Stories