VOA常速英语2017--副总统彭斯出访哥伦比亚（在线收听）

Vice President Mike Pence had an important message to deliver to the people of Colombia on his recent visit: The United States stands with Colombia because our security and our prosperity are inextricably linked. Our interests are aligned. Our values. . .are the same. And the birthright of freedom belongs to both our people.、

副总统近日出访哥伦比亚时，向其人民传递了一个重要讯息：美国支持哥伦比亚，因为我们双方的安全与繁荣是息息相关的。我们的利益是相连的。我们的价值观……也一致。人人生而自由的权利属于我们两国人民。

The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, last year signed an agreement that ended the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere. Colombia now faces the challenge of consolidating that peace.

哥伦比亚政府及哥伦比亚革命武装力量(FARC)去年签订了一份协议，结束了西半球经年累月的征战。哥伦比亚现在面临着巩固这一和平局势的挑战。

The greatest risk to that peace, said Vice President Pence, is the absence of infrastructure, basic services, the rule of law in war-affected areas that's creating a haven for criminal activities, drugs and violence. The United States will continue to partner with Colombia to address these issues.

副总统彭斯表示，对当前和平的最大威胁就是基础设施的缺失、基础服务、战争波及地区的法治（已经为犯罪活动营造了避风港）、毒品和暴力。美国将继续与哥伦比亚合作以解决这些问题。

This year marks the 6th year of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement - an agreement that has created jobs and opportunities in both nations. Colombia is the United States' third-largest trading partner in Latin America, with a two-way goods trade of nearly $27 billion in 2016 alone.

今年是《美国-哥伦比亚贸易促进协定》签订的六周年——该协定为两国创造了很多岗位和机会。哥伦比亚是美国在拉丁美洲的第三大贸易合作伙伴，双边贸易仅在2016年一年就实现了近2700万美元。

The United States supports Colombia's aspirations to join the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. In demonstration of this support, the United States announced it will provide Colombia up to $2 million in technical assistance to achieve that objective.

美国支持哥伦比亚加入经济合作与发展组织的想法。为了体现美国的支持，美国宣布将会为哥伦比亚提供200万美元的技术援助金，以实现这个目标。

In spite of all this progress, our greatest concern, said Mr. Pence, is the dramatic increase in cocaine production, which has now reached an all-time high in Colombia. This worsening crisis requires swift action to protect the people of both our countries.

彭斯表示，虽然已经有了这些进步，但我们最大的关切还是可卡因产量的急剧增加，已经达到了哥伦比亚史上最高。这一每况愈下的危机局势需要立刻采取行动，以保护两国人民。

The drug trade is a source of violence, crime, and corruption, and victimizes the Colombian people. And in the United States, illegal drugs have poisoned children, torn apart families, and devastated many communities.

毒品贸易是暴力、犯罪和腐败的源泉，受害的是哥伦比亚人民。而在美国，非法毒品已经毒害了许多儿童，让很多家庭分崩离析，也破坏了很多社群。

The United States will continue to address its demand for illegal drugs with border security, internal enforcement, and a renewed effort to remove dangerous criminals, gang members, and drug dealers from the streets of the United States.

美国将继续解决哥伦比亚对非法毒品的需求问题，保证边境安全、内部贯彻落实，并持续努力移除美国街头危险的罪犯、团伙、毒枭。

Colombia, said Vice President Pence, represents the future of Latin America. It is a future of freedom, security, and prosperity. And America stands with you.

副总统彭斯表示，哥伦比亚承载着拉丁美洲的未来。这未来应该是自由的、安全的、繁荣的。而在这条路上，美国永远支持哥伦比亚。