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Colombia has formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran, citing concerns over national and hemispheric security, alleged links between the Iranian government and international terrorist and narcoterrorist groups, and documented human rights violations.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the decision took effect on September 19, although the announcement was made on September 24. Consular relations between the two countries will remain in place.
The ministry said the fight against transnational crime and the protection of national and hemispheric security are key priorities of Colombia’s foreign policy.
It also cited what it described as alleged links between the Iranian government and international terrorist and narcoterrorist groups that pose a threat to Colombia’s security.
Other factors cited by Bogotá included documented human rights violations in Iran, verified attacks on countries not directly involved in the Middle East conflict, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and alleged obstruction by Iranian authorities of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s efforts to verify the scope of Iran’s nuclear programme.
The ministry said these developments had significantly eroded Colombia’s confidence in the Iranian government.
The decision comes amid a broader shift in Colombia’s foreign policy under newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella. His government has sought closer ties with the United States and moved to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, which were severed under former President Gustavo Petro over the war in Gaza.
Colombia and Iran established diplomatic relations in 1975. The Colombian Foreign Ministry said the diplomatic break does not affect consular relations between the two countries.
