Politics

Colombia’s Iván Duque meets Spanish king, PM in official visit

Madrid, Sep 16 (EFE).- Colombia’s president Iván Duque on Thursday began a three-day official visit to Spain, where he met with King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Duque, in power since 2018, was greeted by the king at the official Palace of Zarzuela.

He later visited the Palace of Moncloa, the official residence of the prime minister, where he was to sign a series of accords with Sánchez, including a cooperation agreement on tackling crime.

The PM tweeted: “Spain will continue to support the country (Colombia) in its fight against the pandemic, as well as its efforts in building peace.”

Duque and his wife, María Juliana Ruiz, are to rejoin the Spanish monarchs for an official lunch alongside the prime minister and other government officials.

Spain’s government will grant Duque the Order of Isabella the Catholic, one of the highest civil order distinctions offered by the state to foreigners.

The decision prompted protests from activists who have accused Duque of a violent clampdown on protests that erupted in the South American nation in spring.

Duque is also set to meet with former Spanish prime ministers  Felipe González, José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy as well as Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa.EFE

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