Joe Biden intends that the global support for Volodímir Zelenski's Ukraine go beyond words. The president pushes the rest of the countries, especially the European ones, to allocate funds to help counter the Russian military attack. The message also has a domestic destination: The Democrat wants Congress to approve new aid of 24 billion dollars. But the Republicans look askance at him, while the relationship between the ruling party and the opposition becomes more harsh and polarized every day.

At the 78th UN General Assembly, held in New York, Biden called for stopping Russia's "brutal aggression." He also had a very promoted bilateral meeting with Brazilian Lula da Silva and demanded greater commitment to the climate crisis and a global response of assistance for Haiti. From that city, the rising Spokesperson for the State Department Kristina Rosales spoke with LPO about the main points, agreements and tensions during the annual meeting of the United Nations.

What is your political assessment of this UN meeting?

President Biden specifically focused on promoting economic development with global sustainability, pushing an special agenda for Latin America. He stated that global cooperation is essential to mitigate the climate crisis, and in many bilateral conversations he sought support to guarantee sovereignty, security and integrity in Ukraine. That was the main issue. The president assured that we are at a turning point regarding Russia's unfair invasion of Ukraine, calling on other countries to support Ukraine, not only morally and verbally, but also financially.

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Regarding the crisis in Haiti, with gangs out in the streets, What proposals are being considered?

Biden talked about the importance of the resolution we are going to introduce to resolve and help Haiti. It would be a resolution to create a multinational force pushed by Kenya. Let's hope that resolution is approved and the force can start working as soon as possible. The approval vote would take place next week.

LPO

On the fentanyl trafficking crisis that caused 70,000 overdose deaths in the United States last year, Is there any progress?

The fentanyl crisis is a serious problem for the region. It's a crisis that has to do with Mexico, but it goes beyond. Antony Blinken mentioned it in bilateral conversations. We have to confront and cut production that partly comes from markets in Asia.

That step in extradition, that Ovidio Guzmán is now in a maximum security prison in the United States, shows that some things are working.

How did you take Mexico's decision to extradite Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of El Chapo Guzmán, to the US? Is it Andrés Manuel López Obrador's gesture of relaxation? And what about the candidate for succession, Claudia Sheinbaum?

I would say that is goes in that sense, as official Brian A. Nichols said, of the close cooperation that exists in the field of combating drug trafficking. That step in extradition, that Ovidio Guzmán is now in a maximum security prison in the United States, shows that some things are working. We have to cut off the organizations that are behind the growth and trafficking of fentanyl to the United States. There is collaboration with entities from other countries and we know that in many cases they are drugs from Asia.

How did the map of production and consumption change with synthetic drugs?

Regarding production and trafficking, what we mapped is that it is no longer a problem of Mexico and the United States, neither of Colombia and the United States. It involves the whole region. We also see the imposition of synthetic drugs over other substances that were previously more popular. Cocaine is not being trafficked or consumed as much as fentanyl and synthetic drugs.

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Why do you think that the crisis of consumption and overdose occurs mainly in the US and not in other production or transit countries?

It is a domestic problem, but it is intertwined with our diplomacy and foreign policy. The product comes from outside and we know that we have to work on the issue of demand. This administration took steps, it made strong investments, and there is always more to do. But it is such a powerful product that just a small amount of it causes a lot of damage. We must work harder and take more actions. It is a relatively new and very serious phenomenon.

You talked about the progress and agreements with Mexico in the fight against fentanyl. Is there no progress with China?

Yes, progress is being made, it is one of the points that Blinken mentioned in conversations with his Chinese peers. It is a relationship that is being worked on, but it is not a broken or rivalry relationship in which these types of conversations cannot be had. In the final stages of conversations with López Obrador, the issue of controlling the imports and understanding what is happening was pushed a lot, because we are seeing high numbers of chemicals and synthetic drugs entering from China and South Asia.

Fentanyl is a domestic problem, but it intertwined with our diplomacy and foreign affairs policy. The product comes from outside and we know that we must work on the issue of demand.

How important was Biden's meeting with Lula da Silva?

Within the framework of relations with Latin America, it was one of the most important bilateral negotiations. It is a close relationship, and even more now with the new administration of President Lula. They talked about the situation in Haiti and the need for support from the multinational force. They also talked about the climate change crisis. Lula and Brazil are leaders on this issue against the deforestation of the Amazon. Labor agreements were signed with Brazil. Support for Ukraine is also in conversations. There were conversations before, but they did not advance. This time it was an important issue in the bilateral. Lula met Zelenski. That showed the importance it has.

LPO

Colombian Gustavo Petro asked to remove Cuba from the list of countries that support terrorism. Is it on the United States agenda?

No, it's not. There is a difference between a president making a request and the United States changing that policy. This is a position that has been clear to us for decades. It remains standing and will not change. It has always been our policy to find ways to support the Cuban people and guarantee access to their rights. Even free political prisoners.

Why did the government now decide to give a legal umbrella to almost half a million Venezuelan immigrants?

It was a recent announcement from the Department of Homeland Security. We expanded opportunities to almost half a million Venezuelans in the US, thanks to the extension of Temporary Protection Status (TPS). Now they will have the opportunity to have protection knowing what is happening in Venezuela, and at the same time they will have a job opportunity. That alleviates the situation for those who are waiting. It is part of a great work we did at the regional level, constant work since before Title 42 ended. Expanding legal channels and options so that people do not take the risk of entering illegally.

We have a fairly close relationship with Argentina, President Fernández have visited us in the White House. We have conversations and we support the improvement of the economic situation in Argentina.

Biden's plan to financially support Ukraine does not seem to fully convince Republicans. Was his message also aimed at the internal opposition?

I wouldn't way so. Because we were always clear that it is important to defend Ukraine in a bipartisan way. The unfair invasion of Russia is unacceptable. This war has to end. Support must be pushed even further. We are fighting for sovereignty and, at a global level, we are going to financially support Ukraine. But there are other forums that can accompany, such as those of the European Union or Latin America.

Argentine President Alberto Fernández questioned the financial architecture and the IMF at the UN. What do you think in this regard?

We do not comment or react to presidential presentations. We have a fairly close relationship with Argentina, President Fernández have visited us in the White House. We have conversations and we support the improvement of the economic situation in Argentina. We know that there will soon be presidential elections and we will be observing them, knowing that we have a map of different options with candidates of different political perceptions. But we do not take a position or give support. We do want people to always have a free voice.