Colombian president addresses climate change, migration, global peace initiatives in UN address

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - President Gustavo Petro addressed the UN General Assembly in a 15-minute speech, covering key issues for Colombia and the region.

His remarks to the world body, the second since he came to power, touched on issues including the climate change crisis, peace initiatives, migration, the war on drugs and reform of the global financial system.

Petro began by criticizing the US and world powers regarding war and the way in which Latin America has been instrumentalized in conflicts.

"Latin America has been called upon to deliver war machines, men for combat. They forgot that our countries were invaded several times by the same people who today talk about fighting against invasions. They forgot that Iraq, Syria, Libya were invaded for oil,” said Petro. “They forgot that the same reasons that are expressed to defend (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky are the same reasons with which Palestine should be defended.”

Petro proposed "to end all wars" and the UN "sponsor two peace conferences as soon as possible: one addressing Ukraine and the other focused on Palestine."

“Not because there are no other wars in the world, as in my country, but because they would teach peace in all regions of the planet, because both and only both would put an end to hypocrisy as a political practice, because we could be sincere,” he said.

The Colombian president has avoided taking sides regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. He refused to send arms and tanks to Ukraine, which Petro said he was asked to do by the US in January.

Petro also addressed migration, particularly flows toward northern regions driven by economic and climate-related challenges.

He characterized the past year as a period of setbacks due to developments in migration and warfare.

"This past year has been a time of defeat for governments, of defeat for humanity. The exodus at the borders has grown," said Petro. “It seems world leaders have become the enemies of life.” ​​​​​​​

Petro took the opportunity to criticize the US embargo against Cuba and accused former Colombia President Ivan Duque of advocating for Cuba's inclusion on the list of countries promoting terrorism.