U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Colombia next week to discuss trade and security issues with the Colombian leaders, Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin said on Tuesday.

"Secretary of State Kerry will come to Bogota on Aug. 12," Holguin told a hearing in the House of Representatives, adding the visit comes at a time when relations between the United States and Colombia are in good shape.

"The relationship with the United States is going well," and security issues and progress on the implementation of a free trade agreement will be the main topics of talks, she said.

She said Colombia will request Washington to explain its global surveillance program, which has reportedly spied on Colombia and other Latin American nations.

Colombia's position on espionage will be expressed through respectful dialogue, the foreign minister said, adding the United States was sending a special commission to exclusively discuss the matter.

The visit will mark the U.S. Secretary of State's first trip to South America since he took office in January. Kerry will also travel to Brazil. Endi

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