Colombia’s President-elect vows to break ties with Cuba, Nicaragua
Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced plans to sever diplomatic ties with Cuba and Nicaragua and close several embassies to redirect funds toward security. He also intends to restore diplomatic relations with Israel and open a new embassy in Nigeria.
Why it matters
This shift represents a major pivot in Colombian foreign policy, signaling a move toward a more hard-right, security-focused international stance under the new administration.
Colombia’s hard-right president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella vowed on Sunday (July 26, 2026) to break off diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua when he takes office on August 7.
Mr. De la Espriella said he will also close 15 consulates and 14 embassies in countries including Algeria, Barbados, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, Senegal and South Africa.
“In my government, there will be no ties with tyrannies,” Mr. De la Espriella said in a social media post, referring to the leftist governments of Cuba and Nicaragua.
However, he said the decisions “do not mean breaking off diplomatic relations” with the other countries.
“With the rest of the countries and organisations, Colombia will maintain its international relations and will guarantee attention for its nationals through other embassies,” he said.
The President-elect, whose election campaign centred on “iron fist” security policies, said closing embassies would allow the government to redirect money to security.
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