Colombia Severes Ties With Iran Over Terror Group Links

Colombia has officially severed diplomatic relations with Iran, announcing the decision on Friday. The Colombian government in Bogota accused Tehran of maintaining ties with international terrorist organizations that threaten Colombia's security. The break in relations took effect on September 19.

In a formal statement, the Colombian government explained that the decision was based on core principles of its foreign policy regarding national security and the fight against international crime. This includes Iran's alleged connections to international terrorist groups and narco-terrorist organizations posing a threat to the nation.

Diplomatic ties between Colombia and Iran were established in 1975 and persisted for many years, even after the Islamic Revolution. However, relations deteriorated significantly following the election of right-wing populist leader Abelardo de la Espriella, culminating in the current complete severance.

This move comes after Colombia, under President de la Espriella, recently restored diplomatic relations with Israel. Relations with Israel had been cut in 2024 by de la Espriella's predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who cited "genocide in Gaza" as the reason. In July, Israel and Colombia formally announced the renewal of ties, agreeing to reopen Colombia's embassy in Jerusalem.