Colombia to sign onto China's Belt and Road initiative, Petro says

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino meets Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, in Panama City

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks during a joint message with his Panamanian counterpart Jose Raul Mulino, at the Palacio de las Garzas Presidential Palace, in Panama City, Panama March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

Colombia will join China's Belt and Road initiative, a massive development project from the Asian nation in which it funds infrastructure projects, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Monday.

"We're going to sign the Silk Road," Petro said in an interview from the Great Wall of China, using part of the original name given to China's development initiative.

Petro said that Colombia would look to use those funds for artificial intelligence projects and provide employment opportunities to young people.

"We've decided to take a strong step forward regarding relations between China and Latin America," he added.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters