Foreign Policy Shakeup: Colombia's President-Elect Cancels Plan to Open Palestinian Embassy

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced the cancellation of the plan to open a Colombian embassy in the Palestinian territories, the opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, and the closure of 14 embassies and 15 consulates as part of spending cuts and a shift in priorities.

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced in a live broadcast on social networks a dramatic change in Colombia's foreign policy. The move includes canceling the plan to open a Colombian embassy in the Palestinian territories, which was initiated by the previous government, and opening an embassy in Jerusalem instead. In addition, 14 embassies will be closed in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa, as well as about 15 consulates whose locations have not yet been published. De la Espriella emphasized that the closure of the missions will not lead to a severance of relations with most countries, except for Cuba and Nicaragua, which he called "tyrannies." The move is intended to cut spending, reduce political appointments, and redirect funds to security, health, education, and infrastructure. Additionally, embassies in Paris and Rome will be merged with missions to international organizations. The decision reflects a distancing from leftist regimes and a strengthening of relations with Israel, the United States, and democratic countries.