Meetings with Colombian Ambassador to the US Daniel García-Peña regarding Pegasus Sale (U.S. Trade Representative)
| Tracking # |
FY25-12 |
| Multi Request | Meetings with Colombian Ambassador to the US Daniel García-Peña regarding Pegasus Sale |
| Submitted | Nov. 20, 2024 |
| Est. Completion | Dec. 23, 2024 |
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Communications
From: Lola Leetz
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
A list, roster, database, or comparable record of meetings between the Colombian Ambassador to the US Daniel García-Peña and employees, executives, such as but not limited to directors and chiefs of staff, and representatives, such as but not limited to ambassadors, negotiators, special envoys, coordinators and spokespersons regarding Pegasus Spyware and/or NSO Group between July 16, 2024 and November 20, 2024.
Emails, text messages, or comparable records of communication regarding meetings between the Colombian Ambassador to the US Daniel García-Peña and employees, executives, such as but not limited to directors and chiefs of staff, and representatives, such as but not limited to ambassadors, negotiators, special envoys, coordinators and spokespersons regarding Pegasus Spyware and/or NSO Group between July 16, 2024 and November 20, 2024.
Under Executive Order 13526, Section 1.7, classified information that is already publicly available or improperly classified to conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error cannot be withheld under Exemption 1. The records requested pertain to meetings between Ambassador Daniel García-Peña and senior White House officials regarding NSO Group's Pegasus Spyware and are already in the public domain, as evidenced by the Government of Colombia – for reference, please see the Press Release below. Therefore, the records requested should not be exempted on grounds of national security as they do not pose a risk to national security.
https://estadosunidos.embajada.gov.co/newsroom/news/embajador-daniel-garcia-pena-se-reunio-con-altos-funcionarios-de-la-casa-blanca-para
As an independent journalist, I ask that any fees be waived. These documents will be made available to the public and are being requested for reporting not commercial purposes.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Lola Leetz
From: U.S. Trade Representative
Ms. Leetz,
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) received your Freedom of Information Act request dated November 25, 2024 and assigned it tracking number FY25-12. Please cite this number in any future communications with our office regarding your request.
Our office will provide you with a determination on or before December 23, 2024.
Thank you,
Monique
Monique T. Ricker
FOIA Program Manager/Attorney
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
WASHINGTON DC 20508
From: U.S. Trade Representative
Ms. Leetz,
This email is the final response from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) No. FY25-12 dated November 25, 2024 seeking records including communications regarding meetings between the Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. Daniel García-Peña and USTR regarding Pegasus Spyware and/or NSO Group between July 16, 2024 and November 20, 2024.
After a search of our files utilizing eDiscovery software, we located no records responsive to your request.
This constitutes a complete response to your request. You may contact me or my colleague Janice Kaye at FOIA@ustr.eop.gov<mailto:FOIA@ustr.eop.gov> or 202-881-7849 for further assistance and to discuss any aspect of your request. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is as follows: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001, e-mail at ogis@nara.gov<mailto:ogis@nara.gov>; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at 1-877-684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769.
If you are not satisfied with the response to this request, you may also administratively appeal by writing to: FOIA Office, ATTN: Janice Kaye, Office of the US Trade Representative, Anacostia Naval Annex, Bldg. 410/Door 123, 250 Murray Lane, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20509.
Your appeal must be postmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of the response to your request. Both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked: “Freedom of Information Act Appeal" and should include a reference to the FOIA Case File number listed above. Heightened security in force may delay mail delivery; therefore we suggest that you also email any such appeal to foia@ustr.eop.gov<mailto:foia@ustr.eop.gov>.
In the event you are dissatisfied with the results of any such appeal, judicial review will thereafter be available to you in the United States District Court for the judicial district in which you reside or have your principal place of business, or in the District of Columbia, where we searched for the records you requested.
Thank you,
Monique
Monique T. Ricker
FOIA Program Manager/Attorney
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
WASHINGTON DC 20508