The revolution is complete: Colombia cuts ties with Iran
Colombia announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Iran, another step in the foreign policy shift under President de la Espriella. The decision was justified by Iran's ties to terrorism, human rights violations, and lack of cooperation with the IAEA. Colombia joins Peru, which cut ties with Iran earlier this month.
Colombia announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Iran, a dramatic step marking a revolution in the country's foreign policy since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office. The Foreign Ministry in Bogotá justified the decision by citing "alleged ties of the Iranian government with international terrorist organizations and narco-terrorist groups," human rights violations, attacks against non-belligerent countries in the Middle East, the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, and lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Relations were effectively severed on Saturday, but consular relations will be maintained. De la Espriella is leading a policy diametrically opposed to his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who was one of the most blatant anti-Israeli leaders. Petro cut ties with Israel in May 2024, compared it to Nazi Germany, joined the Hague lawsuit, and banned coal exports. In contrast, de la Espriella agreed to renew relations with Israel even before taking office, announced the opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, and withdrawal from the Hague lawsuit. During a visit to a synagogue for Rosh Hashanah, he declared: "I will never stop defending Israel, because it is God's people." Colombia is not the first on the continent: Peru cut its ties with Iran earlier this month, shortly after President Keiko Fujimori took office. Tehran responded dismissively, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman calling the move an "empty gesture."