Colombia President-Elect De la Espriella to Close 14 Embassies Including Cuba and Nicaragua

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella will shutter 14 Colombian embassies upon taking office, including diplomatic missions in Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua.

Breaking Ties With Havana and Managua

The decision to terminate diplomatic presence in Cuba and Nicaragua is a central pillar of the incoming administration’s strategy. According to DW.com, Colombia will formally break relations with both countries.

This is part of a broader plan to close 14 embassies globally, a figure confirmed by CNN en Español and RPP.

Restoring the Mission in Israel

While the diplomatic footprint is shrinking in some regions, it will expand in others. Gestión reports that Abelardo de la Espriella intends to reopen the Colombian embassy in Israel.

Republican Support for the Pivot

Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez expressed support for the decision to cut ties with Cuba and Nicaragua.

Giménez stated that those governments “no tienen cabida” (have no place).

Restructuring the Global Presence

The closures include the missions in Haiti, Cuba, and Nicaragua, as noted by RPP. The specific criteria for the remaining 11 embassy closures have not yet been detailed in available reports.

De la Espriella has framed these actions as a necessary restructuring of Colombia’s international presence before he formally assumes the presidency.