Colombia severs Iran ties as new US-backed leader pivots to Israel

Colombia’s new US-backed government has severed diplomatic ties with Iran, as the right-wing administration of dual US citizen Abelardo de la Espriella moves to realign Bogotá firmly with Washington and Israel.

In a statement on Thursday, the Colombian Foreign Ministry claimed that the decision to cut ties with Iran, which took effect on September 19, was based on "hemispheric national security" considerations.

It claimed without any proof that the Iranian government is having ties to "narco-terrorist groups that threaten the security of the country."

Colombia also designated the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist” organization, in a move clearly aimed at appeasing the US and the terrorist entity of Israel. 

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry claimed the decision was made due to what it described as a “serious threat to international peace and security.”

US interference has helped install yet another puppet regime in Latin America, with right-wing multimillionaire and dual US citizen Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia’s president after winning a runoff election in June in controversial circumstances.

US President Donald Trump had personally endorsed de la Espriella’s campaign and helped install a man who replaced Gustavo Petro, who was staunchly pro-Palestine and anti-West.

Trump has moved aggressively to expand US presence and influence across Latin America, forcing the continental countries to boost ties with both Washington and Tel Aviv.

De la Espriella’s victory extends a broader run of conservative electoral successes across the region.

Seven right-wing leaders have been elected since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, including Peru’s Keiko Fujimori, Chile’s Jose Antonio Kast and Argentina’s Javier Milei.

De la Espriella himself is an admirer of Trump and has said he wants to subordinate Colombia’s foreign policy to that of the United States.

He welcomed the attack against Venezuela in January when the US kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro.

He has repeatedly said that any future diplomatic relationship with Venezuela would be channeled through the US Department of State.

Colombia's withdrawal from ICJ genocide case against Israel ‘source of shame’: Ex-president

Petro has condemned Colombia

De la Espriella has publicly stated that he supports regime change in Cuba, as well as the country’s annexation by the United States as a territory in free association, similar in status to Puerto Rico.

The millionaire has announced plans to restore full diplomatic relations with the Israeli regime, ties that were severed by Petro’s government in protest against the Gaza genocide. He has also pledged to move Colombia’s embassy to occupied Al-Quds.

Such a move would break with Colombia’s traditional position on the Palestinian cause and its support for the Palestinian people’s struggle to liberate their lands from occupation, marking a major new chapter in the country’s foreign policy.

Other measures include appointing ambassadors and lifting visa requirements between Colombia and the Zionist regime.

The incoming Colombian government has also pledged to resume coal exports to Israeli-occupied territories.

The exports were halted under outgoing President Petro, who in July 2025 ordered Colombia’s navy to block all coal supplies to Israeli-occupied territories in response to the genocide in Gaza.

Colombia has long been integral to Israel’s energy supplies, exporting coal for its electricity grid, which powers, among other things, illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In late 2025, de la Espriella met with the Israeli regime’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar and promised to “strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation” between Colombia and Israel.

Sa’ar also met with de la Espriella just one day before his inauguration.

Colombia informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Tuesday that it decided to withdraw its declaration of intervention in the case concerning the application of the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip brought by South Africa against the Israeli regime.

Colombia has recognised Israel’s claim of sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, just days after de la Espriella took power.

The South American nation is only the second country to recognise Israel’s claims over the illegally annexed Syrian territory.

De la Espriella has also expressed staunch support for Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC.

In an August 2025 interview, when asked about the genocide in Gaza, he said the Israeli regime and Netanyahu were “doing what they have to do to defend their people.”

Following de la Espriella’s victory in the June 2026 presidential election, Netanyahu publicly congratulated him on social media, claiming that “friends of Israel keep winning.”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk