Biden expresses support for Colombia’s Duque​

Washington, June 29 (RHC)-- U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed support for his Colombian counterpart, Ivan Duque, after a helicopter carrying the Colombian president and other government officials was fired upon late last week near the border with Venezuela.

In a statement on Monday, the White House said Biden called Duque “to express U.S. support following the attack.”

The helicopter was struck by multiple bullets when flying through the country’s Catatumbo region towards the city of Cucuta, capital of the Norte de Santander province.  No injuries were reported, and the Colombian government later offered a reward of nearly $800,000 for any information that would help catch the perpetrators.

In its statement, the White House said Biden in his call with Duque also “voiced support for the rights of peaceful protestors, underscored that law enforcement must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and condemned wanton acts of violence and vandalism.”

The U.S. president “reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the United States and Colombia”, the statement said, while also pledging to donate 2.5 million coronavirus vaccines.