Mike Pompeo finishes Latin America tour with focus on Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday wrapped up a tour of four South American countries — three of m neighbors of Venezuela, whose socialist government is under intense U.S. pressure.

After a meeting with Colombian President Iván Duque on Saturday, two vowed to deepen ties — including U.S. investment in country’s struggling economy — and Pompeo praised Colombia's tough stance against Venezuelan leer Nicolás Muro.

Pompeo said Colombia's backing of opposition leer Juan Guaido "and democratic transition for a sovereign Venezuela free of malign influence from Cuba, from Russia, from Iran, is incredibly valued.

“You are a true leer for region and dignity of all of its people,” he said at a news conference.

Pompeo’s three-day trip to region comes as U.S. presidential election nears, with Florida — which has hosted an expanding Venezuelan diaspora — a key battleground.

Duque highlighted a report by U.N.’s top human rights body accusing Muro’s government of crimes against humanity, including torture and killings carried by security forces.

“ situation re is unsustainable,” he said.

Shoring up support for Trump ministration’s Venezuela policy was a key focus of trip, which including stops in Guyana and Brazil, where he emphasized U.S. calls for a presidential election to replace Muro. He also stopped in Suriname, like Guyana a budding oil exporter.

Colombia has been flooded with migrants fleeing Venezuela's increasing economic crisis while accusing its neighbor of backing armed groups on Colombian soil.

COVID-19 pandemic, meanwhile, has left millions in Colombia out of work, with unemployment recently soaring to 20% during nation’s long lockdown. Though virus cases were initially slow to rise, Colombia now has world’s sixth highest total number caselo.

Duque said he is hoping to attract more U.S. investment to Colombia and he hailed a U.S. government initiative aimed at enhanging private sector investment in infrastructure.