WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The White House announced on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump will not travel to Colombia later this month due to his busy schedule.
According to a statement issued by the White House press office, "Trump's schedule will not allow him to travel to Colombia later this month," without giving further explanation.
The White House further explained that Trump had met with Colombian President Ivan Duque on the margins of the UN General Assembly on Sep. 25, "and looks forward to future opportunities to engage."
"The two countries cooperate on counternarcotics, regional security, and mutual economic prosperity," the statement read.
The White House said on Aug. 31 that Trump will travel to France, Ireland, Argentina and Columbia in November for bilateral and multilateral issues.
Specifically, Trump will travel to Paris, France, to participate in a Nov. 11 commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I.
While in Europe, Trump also will visit Ireland to "renew the deep and historic ties" with the country, and later attend the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Trump was once expected to discuss with the Duque administration "opportunities for even greater collaboration on security, counter narcotics, and regional affairs," said the White House.
In addition, Trump has asked Vice President Mike Pence to travel to Singapore in November to attend the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and the East Asia Summit and then to Papua New Guinea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
Pence will highlight the U.S. regional vision, and meet with leaders of U.S. regional allies and partners to advance security and prosperity, among others, the White House said.
