Colombia Cuts Iran Ties
Colombia severs diplomatic ties with Iran citing national and hemispheric security concerns.
Anonymous
Colombia announced on Sept. 24 that it had severed diplomatic relations with Iran, a decision effective Sept. 19, citing national and hemispheric security concerns. The government pointed to alleged Iranian links to terrorist and narcoterrorist groups, human rights violations, attacks on countries outside the Middle East conflict, the Strait of Hormuz blockade and obstruction of international nuclear inspections. Colombia said consular relations with Tehran would continue. The move is part of President Abelardo de la Espriella’s foreign-policy shift toward closer alignment with Washington; one report said Peru had also cut ties with Iran earlier in September.
Key Points
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The government alleged Iranian links to narco-terrorist groups but, according to one report, did not provide evidence for the allegations.
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Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said the cited events had “eroded Colombia’s confidence” in Iran’s government.
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The Foreign Ministry said its Protocol Directorate would notify Iranian authorities about the procedure to follow after the diplomatic break, and described defending national sovereignty as an indispensable pillar of Colombia’s foreign policy.
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The announcement became public on the same day Vice-President José Manuel Restrepo addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on behalf of President Abelardo de la Espriella.
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