VOA常速英语2017--副总统彭斯出访哥伦比亚

Vice 1 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 2. 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 3 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 4, basic services, the rule of law in war-affected areas that's creating a haven 5 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 6 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 7 to join the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. In demonstration 8 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 9 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 10, and victimizes the Colombian people. And in the United States, illegal drugs have poisoned children, torn apart families, and devastated 11 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 12 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。