Lula calls Petro to say goodbye as Colombian president steps down

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday to bid farewell as Petro prepares to leave office this week. During the call, Lula expressed gratitude for the dialogue and cooperation maintained between their administrations.

Lula commended Petro's commitment to sustainable development, social inclusion, and strengthening regional integration during his term. The conversation also touched upon positive developments in energy cooperation, specifically the recent announcement by Petrobras and Colombia's Ecopetrol regarding the discovery of natural gas at the Sandia-1 exploratory well in deep waters off the Colombian coast.

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Lula thanked Petro for the dialogue and cooperation maintained during the period they were both leading their countries.

Both presidents highlighted the potential of this natural gas discovery to deepen bilateral ties and enhance energy security within the region. Petro had previously expressed support for Iván Cepeda's candidacy and, in an earlier call with Lula, affirmed his commitment to a peaceful transition of power. The European Union's observation mission had described the Colombian election as "transparent and well-organized."

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The leaders celebrated the announcement made on August 3 by Petrobras and Ecopetrol about the discovery of natural gas.