Colombia has announced that it is cutting diplomatic ties with Iran. The government announced the decision on Thursday, making it another US ally in Latin America to break relations with Washington’s main rival.
Colombia’s new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, is making major changes to the country’s foreign alliances and relations. Since taking over from the left-wing former president Gustavo Petro on August 7, he has had strong backing from US president Donald Trump.
Before taking office, de la Espriella had also announced plans to cut ties with left-wing authoritarian governments such as Cuba and Nicaragua, though he has not yet done so.
The government said on Thursday that the decision to cut ties with Iran took effect on September 19, and that it was taken in view of “national security in the region”.
Colombia’s government accused Iran of having links to “narco-terrorist groups” that threaten the country’s security, but presented no evidence to support the accusation.
Bogotá also criticised Tehran’s role in its ongoing war with the United States and Israel, blaming Iran in particular for disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and for attacks on other countries in the Middle East.
Despite cutting diplomatic ties, Colombia said it would maintain consular contact with Iran for services to citizens.
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