Colombia's Marquez Calls for Stronger Relations to Empower Global South
Last update: March 21, 2026
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The forum brought together countries from both regions, which together account for more than two billion people...
Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez pushed for deeper integration between Latin America and Africa.
She called for closer ties as both an economic opportunity and a challenge to the legacy of colonialism on the third day of the CELAC-Africa Forum in Bogota.
"We were always made to believe that we were very far apart, but in reality, we are close," she said. "Colonialism did its job of isolating us, and we must move forward in the purpose of a bi-regional connection with Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean."
Marquez called for transformed perceptions inherited from the past. "It involves eradicating the mental barriers imposed by colonialism that make us see ourselves as negative, as if we have nothing to offer each other, [...] as if it is not worth working within the global south to offer possible solutions to the world."
On the economic front, she highlighted the development of a joint strategic agenda involving the financial system, development banks and the private sector.
Marquez said that financial institutions such as CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the African Development Bank are working on agreements to promote bi-regional projects.
Regarding bilateral trade, the vice president stressed that exchanges between Colombia and Africa reached 400 million dollars (345 million EUR) in 2025, compared to incipient levels before 2022.
"Strengthening ties between Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean is realised through an economic agenda as a political commitment to a more integrated, more supportive global south with greater capacity to influence international economic governance," she stressed.
They also represent 87 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. The group underscored their significant potential in trade, cooperation and international influence.
Within the framework of the forum, Colombia convened 19 strategic African countries and the African Union Commission, to advance toward a more structured dialogue and a bi-regional relationship with political, economic and institutional projection.
