Tillerson: US encouraged by Colombia efforts to reduce coca
Rex Tillerson
BOGOTA  Colombia (AP) â  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson  said Tuesday  he  is encouraged by Colombia's efforts to slash the amount of cocaine produced in the South American nation but cautioned that "we need to see results."
In a joint appearance with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos   Tillerson  said that as a primary consumer of illicit drugs the U.S. shares a responsibility in combatting the narcotics trade and will continue to support Colombia's efforts.
 His  conciliatory remarks came months after President Donald Trump threatened to decertify Colombia as a partner in the war against drugs unless the nation reversed a record surge in cocaine production.
"We need to see the metrics going in the right way  " Tillerson  said. "That's all President Trump wants as well."
Santos defended Colombia's work in reducing coca production  telling  Tillerson  that the nation has forcibly eradicated 54 000 hectares of the crop and signed collective agreements with 120 000 families to substitute coca.
 Tillerson  is on a five-nation tour of the region that thus far has been dominated by concerns about Venezuela's mounting political and economic crisis.
Last week   Tillerson  remarked in a speech at the University of Texas that throughout the course of Latin America's history it has often been the military that has stepped in to "manage a peaceful transition." On Sunday   Tillerson  said the U.S. is considering restricting oil sales from Venezuela.
Both remarks drew swift rebuke from Venezuelan officials  who accuse  Tillerson  of using his trip to increase pressure on governments around the region to join the U.S. in what they call a "perverse plan of aggressions against Venezuela."
During his stop in Colombia   Tillerson  said the U.S. would consider re-allocating resources earmarked to address Venezuela's humanitarian ordeal to help Venezuelans who fled and are now in Colombia.
"We are all heartbroken by what we see happening in Venezuela "  Tillerson  said. "And we are also heartbroken to see the impact it is having in Colombia."
BOGOTA  Colombia (AP) â   [TGT] said Tuesday   [TGT]   is encouraged by Colombia's efforts to slash the amount of cocaine produced in the South American nation but cautioned that "we need to see results."
In a joint appearance with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos   Tillerson  said that as a primary consumer of illicit drugs the U.S. shares a responsibility in combatting the narcotics trade and will continue to support Colombia's efforts.
 His  conciliatory remarks came months after President Donald Trump threatened to decertify Colombia as a partner in the war against drugs unless the nation reversed a record surge in cocaine production.
"We need to see the metrics going in the right way  "  [TGT] said. "That's all President Trump wants as well."
Santos defended Colombia's work in reducing coca production  telling   [TGT] that the nation has forcibly eradicated 54 000 hectares of the crop and signed collective agreements with 120 000 families to substitute coca.
  [TGT] is on a five-nation tour of the region that thus far has been dominated by concerns about Venezuela's mounting political and economic crisis.
Last week    [TGT] remarked in a speech at the University of Texas that throughout the course of Latin America's history it has often been the military that has stepped in to "manage a peaceful transition." On Sunday    [TGT] said the U.S. is considering restricting oil sales from Venezuela.
Both remarks drew swift rebuke from Venezuelan officials  who accuse  Tillerson  of using his trip to increase pressure on governments around the region to join the U.S. in what they call a "perverse plan of aggressions against Venezuela."
During his stop in Colombia    [TGT] said the U.S. would consider re-allocating resources earmarked to address Venezuela's humanitarian ordeal to help Venezuelans who fled and are now in Colombia.
"We are all heartbroken by what we see happening in Venezuela "  Tillerson  said. "And we are also heartbroken to see the impact it is having in Colombia."