Colombian President Santos on the Peace Process, Social Policies, and Economic Growth

TL;DR

President Santos discusses peace, economic growth, and social policies.

Transcript

SEGAL: Good afternoon, bienvenidos, buenas tardes, and welcome everyone and thank you for joining us. We are honored this afternoon to welcome back to the Americas Society/Council of the Americas a dear friend of many of us here in the room today, His Excellency, Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia. Welcome. (APPLAUSE) Mr. President, we are s... Read More

Key Insights

• President Santos emphasizes the challenges of making peace, noting it's harder than waging war, and outlines his strategy for negotiating with FARC, including no cease-fire until a full agreement is reached.
• Santos highlights Colombia's economic growth, stating it has the fastest growth rate and lowest inflation in Latin America, aiming to maintain this momentum to support social policies.
• The President discusses significant poverty reduction, with poverty rates dropping by ten percentage points during his first term, and sets a goal to eradicate extreme poverty in ten years.
• Education is a key priority for Santos, who aims to improve quality and access, aspiring for Colombia to be the best-educated country in Latin America by 2025.
• Santos addresses land reform, clarifying it won't involve expropriation but will focus on investment in rural areas to enhance productivity and support small and large-scale ventures.
• He discusses the potential of Colombia's shale gas reserves, indicating careful exploration with strict regulations to exploit this resource responsibly.
• The President stresses the importance of Colombia's relationship with Venezuela, aiming for stability and dialogue while respecting differences.
• Santos outlines Colombia's pursuit of OECD membership, viewing it as a way to adopt best practices and improve competitiveness on a global scale.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main challenges in the peace process with FARC?

President Santos highlights that making peace is more challenging than waging war. He emphasizes the need to maintain military pressure by not agreeing to a cease-fire until a full agreement is reached. The strategy involves presenting a complete peace package to the Colombian people, who may initially reject individual elements but will likely support the overall benefits of peace once fully explained.

Q: How has Colombia's economic growth impacted social policies?

Colombia's economic growth, which is the fastest in Latin America, has enabled significant social policy advancements. During Santos' first term, poverty was reduced by ten percentage points, and extreme poverty saw a significant decline. The economic growth provides the resources needed for continued social investment, aiming to eradicate extreme poverty within ten years and support broader social equality.

Q: What are President Santos' goals for education in Colombia?

Education is a top priority for President Santos, who aims to make Colombia the best-educated country in Latin America by 2025. Efforts include making public education free from kindergarten through 11th grade, improving early childhood education, and increasing access to higher education. These initiatives are seen as crucial for achieving greater social mobility and reducing inequality.

Q: How does President Santos view land reform in Colombia?

Santos clarifies that Colombia's land reform will not involve expropriation but will focus on increasing investment in rural areas to improve productivity. The goal is to develop unproductive land by fostering joint ventures between small farmers and large businesses, thereby boosting food production and economic development without altering property rights.

Q: What is Colombia's stance on shale gas exploitation?

Colombia sees significant potential in its shale gas reserves, with President Santos indicating that exploration will proceed with strict regulations. The country aims to learn from international best practices to responsibly exploit these resources, which could contribute to economic growth while ensuring environmental protection.

Q: How is Colombia managing its relationship with Venezuela?

Colombia maintains a careful diplomatic approach with Venezuela, focusing on stability and dialogue. Despite ideological differences, Santos emphasizes mutual respect and the importance of resolving issues through diplomatic channels rather than public disputes. This approach aims to ensure regional stability and support for Venezuelan citizens.

Q: What is the significance of Colombia's pursuit of OECD membership?

Colombia seeks OECD membership to adopt best practices and improve its global competitiveness. President Santos views this as an opportunity to benchmark against leading economies, addressing areas like education, innovation, and regulatory frameworks. This pursuit aligns with broader goals to enhance Colombia's economic and social development.

Q: How is the private sector involved in Colombia's peace and development efforts?

The private sector plays a crucial role in Colombia's peace and development efforts, particularly in the reintegration of former combatants and economic development. Initiatives like the 'I Am Able' campaign encourage businesses to support reconciliation and provide employment opportunities, aiding in the transition to peace and fostering economic growth in previously conflict-affected areas.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• President Santos discusses Colombia's economic growth, highlighting its rapid growth rate and low inflation. He emphasizes the need to maintain this growth to support social policies, which have already reduced poverty significantly. Santos aims to eradicate extreme poverty within ten years.

• The peace process with FARC is a central theme, with Santos outlining his strategy of no cease-fire until a full agreement is reached. He believes that presenting a complete package to the Colombian people will secure their support for peace.

• Education and land reform are key priorities for Santos. He seeks to improve educational quality and access, aiming for Colombia to lead Latin America by 2025. Land reform will focus on investment in rural areas to boost productivity without expropriation.