- De la Espriella vows to cut diplomatic ties with Cuba and Nicaragua when he takes office on August 7.
- He will close 15 consulates and 14 embassies, including missions in Algeria, Barbados, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, Senegal and South Africa.
- Says his government will have no ties with tyrannies but will maintain other international relations and consular services through remaining embassies.
- Plans to redirect savings to security, open an embassy in Jerusalem to restore Israel ties, and open one in Nigeria to reorganize Africa presence.
Colombia’s hard-right president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella vowed on Sunday to break off diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua when he takes office on August 7.
De la Espriella said he will also close 15 consulates and 14 embassies in countries including Algeria, Barbados, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, Senegal and South Africa.
“In my government, there will be no ties with tyrannies,” De la Espriella said in a social media post, referring to the leftist governments of Cuba and Nicaragua.
However, he said the decisions “do not mean breaking off diplomatic relations” with the other countries.
“With the rest of the countries and organizations, Colombia will maintain its international relations and will guarantee attention for its nationals through other embassies,” he said.
The president-elect, whose election campaign centered on “iron fist” security policies, said closing embassies would allow the government to redirect money to security.
De la Espriella announced plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem in July as he seeks to restore ties with Israel.
Outgoing President Gustavo Petro severed ties with Israel in 2024 over its Gaza offensive.
De la Espriella said he also plans to open an embassy in Nigeria, which “will make it possible to reorganize and make more efficient” Colombia’s presence in Africa.
