President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced the closure of the Colombian embassy in Cuba.

On Friday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro will travel to Havana to meet with his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel, on an official visit just one week before the end of his four-year term.

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The sources indicated that Petro will spend two days on the Caribbean island, and although the agenda and delegation have not yet been finalized, the meeting with Diaz-Canel is confirmed.

The visit comes five days after Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced a reorganization of the foreign service that includes the closure of at least fourteen embassies, among them those in Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua.

Meanwhile, Petro has defended Cuba on various occasions. In April 2025, ​​he described the U.S. blockade against the island as “genocide,” and in June, his government sent a ship to Havana with 100 tons of humanitarian aid after Hurricane Melissa.

Cuba has also been a key ally of Colombia, hosting peace negotiations with the FARC and the ELN, including the processes promoted by Petro. Therefore, De la Espriella’s announcement to sever relations with the island has generated criticism from various sectors.

Former President Ernesto Samper (1994-1998) stated this week: “If it hadn’t been for Cuba, Colombia wouldn’t have been able to even begin to make peace with the FARC or attempt it with the ELN.”

Petro’s visit to Havana in his final days in office underscores the difference in approach between his government and his successor’s regarding foreign policy toward Cuba.

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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