180 mayors from across the country traveled to Rhode Island this weekend...
To attend the 77th annual conference of mayors.
Mayor Raul Salinas was among those in attendance.
and while he was there, he met up with the president of Colombia: Alvaro Uribe Velez.
The two discussed ways to help end the war on drugs...
And curb violence along the border.
Cynthia Cano has more on the story.
Just two weeks ago...
The Colombian city of Cali was shaken by the blast of a bomb that injured nine people...
Including two children.
Officials there said the attack was the result of an initiation rite for new guerilla members...
In response to the police's crackdown on crime in the city.
"When he took office, about 400 mayors in Colombia could not live in the hometowns they represented because of their fears for their own lives. Of course this was a disgrace to the president because the president was also a mayor. Since he has taken office, the homicides are down by 40 percent...kidnappings by 60 percent...and it's all attributed to the drug trade."
During his trip to the 77th annual mayor's conference in Rhode Island...
Mayor Raul Salinas met and held a private discussion with Colombian president Alvaro Uribe Velez.
The two discussed ways to help curb violence along the border...
And ultimately put an end to the drug war.
[effects: take sot]{***sot***}
[length: 9]
<<<04:38:56 "one of the things that really resonated was the fact that we need to reduce demand. If we reduce demand, there won't be a need for supply." 04:39:05>>>
A high demand for drugs in the U.S.....
Coupled with a high incidence of gun smuggling across the borders.
Two things that the Colombian president urged the mayor to focus on.
"He said that we've got to continue working on our side of the border to ensure that the weapons that kill people don't go into Mexico. Interdiction of the weapons on the border is one of the things that we need to continue to do."
All in all, the mayor said he was very impressed with president Uribe Velez' insight...
Especially when the president suggested banning together for a solution to the seemingly endless drug war.
"He wanted to talk to the mayors. He came to providence to speak to the mayors and that coalition between three great nations: the U.S., Mexico (our neighbors), and Colombia, working together...we can make a difference." 04:39:23>>>
Cynthia Cano, pro 8 news.
Mayor Salinas is set to receive a Latino leaders network award for his work and continued partnership with Mexico against the war on drugs.
He was also elected to the u.s. conference of mayors' advisory board.