Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has announced a sweeping overhaul of the country's foreign policy that includes closing Colombia's embassies in Cuba and Nicaragua, restoring diplomatic relations with the United States and Israel, and reassessing Bogotá's engagement with leftist governments across the region.
The announcement, made by Foreign Minister-designate Omar Bula Escobar ahead of the Aug. 7 inauguration, marks one of the sharpest breaks with the foreign policy pursued by outgoing President Gustavo Petro and signals that Colombia is positioning itself as one of Washington's closest allies in Latin America.
"We will not maintain embassies in dictatorships," Bula said during an interview with Noticias Caracol.
"For me, an embassy in a dictatorship legitimizes the dictatorship."
Embassies in Havana and Managua to close
The incoming government confirmed Colombia will shut down its embassies in Cuba and Nicaragua, arguing that maintaining diplomatic missions under the governments of Miguel Díaz-Canel and Daniel Ortega sends the wrong political message.
Instead, the new administration says it will prioritize relations with democratic allies and governments that share what it described as "Western values."
Among its first foreign policy actions, De la Espriella's government plans to fully restore diplomatic ties with the United States and Israel, reversing several decisions taken under Petro. It also intends to reopen Colombia's embassy in Jerusalem.
What about Venezuela?
One of the biggest unanswered questions is what Colombia will do with Venezuela.
Neither De la Espriella nor Bula has announced that Colombia will sever diplomatic relations with Venezuela's interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez. Instead, officials have indicated they will conduct a broader review of Colombia's regional policy after taking office.
The uncertainty comes at a critical moment.
Relations between Bogotá and Caracas have already changed dramatically following the U.S.-led operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power earlier this year and the subsequent installation of Rodríguez as interim president pending a political transition.
Colombia remains one of Venezuela's most important economic partners, sharing a 1,370-mile (2,219-kilometer) border crossed daily by thousands of migrants, traders and humanitarian workers. Any decision affecting diplomatic relations could have immediate consequences for border security, migration, commerce and reconstruction efforts following the June earthquakes.
A sharp break from Petro
The foreign policy shift represents a dramatic departure from Petro's approach.
Petro restored diplomatic relations with Maduro in 2022 after years of tensions, reopened the shared border and promoted dialogue with leftist governments in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
De la Espriella campaigned on reversing that strategy, arguing Colombia should align itself more closely with Washington and democratic governments in the hemisphere. During the campaign he repeatedly criticized what he described as authoritarian regimes in the region.
The incoming Colombian administration has also announced it will review the country's participation in several international organizations to ensure they align with its new foreign policy priorities.
The new government takes office on Aug. 7, when Colombia's diplomatic shift will formally begin.
While the closures of the embassies in Havana and Managua appear certain, officials have yet to announce whether similar measures will be taken regarding Venezuela.
That decision is likely to be closely watched in Bogotá, Washington and Caracas, where Colombia's role remains central to regional security, migration and any future political transition.
