Flags of Iran and Colombia. Photo: Collected
Colombia has severed formal diplomatic relations with Iran, citing national and regional security, links to international terrorist groups and human rights violations, the country’s government announced on Thursday, the Turkish-based Anadolu Agency reported.
A statement from the Colombian Foreign Ministry said that the decision took effect on September 19. The move was taken considering the suppression of interstate crime and the protection of national security as foreign policy priorities.
The statement added that the Iranian government’s allegations of human rights violations, attacks on countries not involved in the Middle East conflict, blocking the Strait of Hormuz, and obstructing the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) efforts to verify the scope of Iran’s nuclear program were also taken into account in making the decision.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said that these incidents have seriously damaged the country’s trust in the Iranian government.
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Esperanza, has transformed the country’s international alliances since taking office last August. He has stepped up efforts to restore ties with Israel, reversing his predecessor Gustavo Petro’s hardline stance on the Gaza issue.