Readout of Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr.’s Trip to Colombia

From June 20 to 23, Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, to meet with Colombian counterparts, law enforcement partners, and Criminal Division personnel assigned to U.S. Embassy Bogotá to discuss law enforcement efforts between the two countries and advance the bilateral relationship with Colombia.

On Wednesday, AAG Polite met with the magistrates of the Criminal Chamber of the Colombian Supreme Court. He also met with key U.S. law enforcement partners working in Colombia, Criminal Division personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy Bogotá, and members of the Colombian National Police and Colombian Attorney General’s Office who provide support to bilateral investigations to combat transnational organized crime groups. AAG Polite thanked U.S. and Colombian law enforcement for their close collaboration and outstanding partnership and for their commitment to improving the security of the region.

AAG Polite with the Magistrates of the Criminal Chamber of the Colombian Supreme Court.

On Thursday, AAG Polite met with Colombian Attorney General Francisco Barbosa, Colombian Minister of Justice Néstor Iván Osuna Patiño, and Colombian National Police Director General William René Salamanca to discuss shared law enforcement priorities, including dismantling transnational criminal organizations, disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics and the violence attributed to it, combatting money laundering, and seizing and forfeiting assets purchased with proceeds of illegal conduct. In his meetings, AAG Polite looked to bolster the close collaboration between the United States and Colombia on bilateral justice matters, and discussed how the United States can further support Colombia’s efforts to improve rural justice and security. 

Colombian Attorney General Francisco Barbosa and AAG Polite.

 Colombian Minister of Justice Néstor Iván Osuna Patiño and AAG Polite.

Colombian National Police Director General William René Salamanca and AAG Polite.

“Our law enforcement relationship with Colombia is a model for the region,” said AAG Polite. “We thank Colombia for their many years of partnership with the Department of Justice and U.S. law enforcement on justice matters. We are committed to continuing to work closely together to combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of narcotics to the United States, and disrupt the flow of illicit financing.”

During the visit, AAG Polite also visited a Justice House, an important access-to-justice program that seeks to bring a wide range of justice services to Colombian citizens. AAG Polite spoke about the importance of access-to-justice initiatives and how Colombia and the United States can learn from one another on this matter.

 AAG Polite’s visit to a Justice House.

AAG Polite remains committed to the continued cooperation between the United States and Colombia and our judicial and law enforcement counterparts in the region.

AAG Polite overlooking Plaza de Bolívar.