Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced plans to close his country's embassies in 15 nations, including Azerbaijan, as part of a new policy aimed at optimizing state expenditures.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, which cited Colombian media reports, the president-elect made the announcement during a televised address. De la Espriella stated that he intends to shutter at least 15 diplomatic missions immediately following his inauguration.
The list of countries where embassies are slated for closure includes Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa. Additionally, he confirmed that the process of opening a Colombian embassy in Palestine will be halted.
Abelardo de la Espriella secured victory in the Colombian presidential elections held this June and is scheduled to officially assume office on August 7. The closure of these diplomatic missions reflects a significant shift in Colombia's foreign policy priorities, focusing on fiscal consolidation and the restructuring of its international diplomatic presence.
Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Colombia were established in 1994. While the closure of the embassy in Baku marks a change in bilateral engagement, both nations have historically maintained cooperation within various international organizations and frameworks.
