Colombia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran, labels IRGC as “terrorists”
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Colombia has formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran, aligning Bogotá more closely with the United States and ‘Israel’.
The decision under President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August, ends more than five decades of ties established in 1975.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry stated that the rupture “responds to the pillars guiding the government’s foreign policy on national and hemispheric security, and the fight against transnational crime,” citing “alleged links of the Iranian government with international terrorist groups and other narcoterrorist groups that threaten the country’s security.”
Officials also pointed to what they said was confirmed human rights violations by Iranian authorities on their own territory, verified attacks on countries not party to the Middle East conflict, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and obstruction of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) efforts to verify Iran’s nuclear program.
“These facts deteriorated Colombia’s trust in the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry said.
In a parallel announcement, Colombia designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization.
The ministry described the force as one that “represses the Iranian population and attacks in covert operations beyond Iran’s borders,” noting it is already classified as such by the European Union, North American countries, and several nations in the Middle East, Latin America, and Oceania.
The IRGC “represents a serious danger to international peace and security,” the statement added.
Consular relations will continue under the Vienna Conventions, with Colombia’s embassy in New Delhi expected to handle residual affairs.
The announcement came shortly after Vice President José Manuel Restrepo addressed the UN General Assembly without mentioning the issue.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the move as “baseless” and contrary to mutual respect.
It said none of Colombia’s claims hold “validity or logic” and that the decision was taken “solely under the influence of Israel and the United States.”
Tehran vowed “necessary measures” to protect its national interests and accused Colombia of hypocrisy over drug trafficking, citing a recent seizure of Colombian cocaine in Iran.
The step forms part of a rapid foreign-policy realignment under de la Espriella, who has restored ties with ‘Israel’ (broken by predecessor Gustavo Petro) and deepened cooperation with Washington.
Peru severed relations with Iran earlier in September on similar grounds.
‘Israel’s’ ambassador in Bogotá welcomed the decision, stating that Iran’s “activities and links with terrorist organizations and drug trafficking have generated serious security concerns in Colombia and the international community.”
