Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has announced plans to sever diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua immediately after taking office on 7 August, as part of a broader overhaul of the country's foreign policy.
De la Espriella said his administration would have no diplomatic ties with what he described as "authoritarian regimes." He also announced plans to close 15 consulates and 14 embassies, while clarifying that diplomatic relations would be cut only with Cuba and Nicaragua.
The incoming government also intends to reopen a Colombian diplomatic mission in Jerusalem and suspend plans to establish an embassy in the Palestinian territories.
As part of a cost-cutting drive, Bogotá plans to close or merge diplomatic missions in several countries, including Algeria, Haiti, Barbados, Hungary, Senegal, Ethiopia and South Africa, with savings expected to be redirected towards security.
De la Espriella won the recent presidential election by a narrow margin following months of strained relations between Colombia and the US, amid repeated clashes with outgoing left-wing President Gustavo Petro.
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