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Original article: La motosierra diplomática de De la Espriella: rompe con Cuba y Nicaragua, da la espalda a Palestina y abraza a Israel

Colombia’s Incoming Foreign Policy: Breaking Ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, Turning Away from Palestine, and Embracing Israel

Abelardo de la Espriella has set in motion his diplomatic «chainsaw» following an announcement detailing significant changes in Colombia’s foreign policy, including severing ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, disregarding Palestine, and strengthening relations with Israel.

The elected president of the South American nation indicated that once in power, he will implement an ideological shift prioritizing alliances with regimes aligned with his ultranationalist agenda.

In a statement made on Sunday via social media, the representative of the Defenders of the Homeland Movement confirmed that under his administration, «there will be no connections» with the governments of Havana and Managua, justifying this decision as a reflection of his political principles.

However, this ideological purge extends beyond mere rhetoric, involving a major cut that includes the closure of 15 consulates and 14 embassies in countries such as Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa. The lawyer and businessman claimed that this does not equate to breaking diplomatic relations.

To mitigate the impact on the Colombian diaspora, De la Espriella noted that services for his fellow citizens will be redirected to other diplomatic missions that will remain operational.

«With the rest of the countries and organizations, Colombia will maintain its international relations and ensure service delivery,» he stated.

As part of his diplomatic restructuring, the future head of state also ordered the unification of Colombian offices in France and Italy, where there are currently parallel representations before organizations like UNESCO and the FAO.

Reopening of the Colombian Embassy in Israel

This geopolitical reordering has a clear favored recipient: Israel. In fact, De la Espriella confirmed his intention to reopen the Colombian embassy in Israel, specifically in Jerusalem, a promise made during his presidential campaign, which reverses the policy of the current administration under Gustavo Petro, who in 2024 severed relations with Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime in protest of the military offensive and genocide against Gaza.

As part of this shift, the ultraright president will also halt plans to establish an embassy in Palestine, effectively turning away from initiatives aimed at strengthening ties with that region.

According to De la Espriella, the core of this restructuring is economic savings. He argued that the resources freed by the closure of embassies will be redirected towards security, a cornerstone of his campaign, aiming to make the foreign service «more efficient.»

The measures are not limited to foreign policy, as the elected president also announced changes in Colombia’s power center. The city of Barranquilla, the capital of the Atlantic department, will become the permanent seat of the presidency, while the Nariño House in Bogotá will be transformed into a public museum.

De La Espriella also announced that he will present a legislative proposal to Congress for Barranquilla to be constitutionally recognized as an alternate capital of Colombia. The purpose, as he explained, is not to relocate the capital but to decentralize parts of national management and bring it closer to the regions. Medellín (Antioquia) and Cali (Valle) will also have alternate executive branches.

It is worth noting that the ultraright leader intends for his inauguration ceremony, scheduled for August 7, to take place in Cali, a decision that will need to be put to a vote in Congress next week.

La entrada Colombia’s Incoming Foreign Policy: Breaking Ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, Turning Away from Palestine, and Embracing Israel se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.