BOGOTÁ — Colombia has formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran under President Abelardo de la Espriella, marking a significant shift in Bogotá’s foreign policy toward Tehran.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry announced on September 24 that the decision had taken effect on September 19, citing national and hemispheric security, the fight against transnational crime and concerns over Iran’s activities.
The government said it had also taken into account what it described as confirmed human rights violations in Iran, attacks on countries outside the Middle East conflict, restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and alleged obstruction of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in verifying the scope of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Bogotá further cited alleged links between the Iranian government and international terrorist and narcoterrorist groups as a factor behind the decision.
However, the move does not amount to a break in consular relations. Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said consular ties would remain in place under the relevant provisions of the Vienna conventions governing diplomatic and consular relations.
The decision comes after de la Espriella took office in August and began reshaping Colombia’s foreign-policy priorities. His administration has also moved to strengthen ties with Israel, reversing several foreign-policy positions adopted by former President Gustavo Petro’s government.
Separately, Colombia on September 24 designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, saying it posed a serious threat to international peace and security.
Colombia and Iran established diplomatic relations in 1975.
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