The incoming administration in Colombia is preparing a major overhaul of its foreign service. Chancellor Omar Bula will oversee the closure of the country’s diplomatic missions in Cuba and Nicaragua following instructions from president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella. Five diplomatic staff members currently operating out of the embassy casona in the Miramar neighborhood of La Habana face the end of their local tenure.
Diplomatic Shifts: Closing Embassies in Latin America and Restoring Ties with Israel
At the same time, the incoming executive branch plans to restore diplomatic relations with Israel. This abrupt pivot in foreign policy has ignited immediate pushback from domestic political opponents and organized labor groups who view the incoming policies as a sharp departure from decades of established diplomatic traditions.
Condemnation from Iván Cepeda and the Trade Unions Over Foreign Policy
Sen. Iván Cepeda, who finished second in the recent presidential race, voiced strong opposition to the foreign policy changes. Cepeda emphasized Cuba’s historic role in hosting peace negotiations for Colombia, pointing directly to the Acudero de Paz de 2016 signed during the administration of Juan Santos.
Iván Cepeda Castro, Colombian Senator and former presidential candidate, stated via Telesurtv that for more than 40 years, Colombian governments have turned to the government of Cuba to seek peace for our country.
The Unión Sindical Obrera de la Industria del Petróleo (USO) joined the criticism, characterizing the measures against Cuba as a hostile act that undermines decades of solidarity. The labor union also questioned the decision to renew ties with Israel, citing international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the union, the policy shifts confirm a clear subordination to foreign directives.
Iván Duque Challenges Cepeda Over Senate Seat and Electoral Legitimacy
While Cepeda plans to serve as an opposition senator under the incoming government, his refusal to recognize the legitimacy of De la Espriella’s victory has sparked fierce debate among political figures.
Iván Duque, Former President of Colombia, asserted via Infobae that if the Senate seat is accepted for the loser of the election, the presidency of the winner is being recognized, adding that there should be no more clowning around or threats (…
Cepeda rejected Duque’s demand to surrender his Senate seat, defending his dual stance of respecting the legal framework while challenging the legitimacy of the administration. In interviews with Caracol Radio, Cepeda noted that he secured more than 12 million votes in the runoff, with a margin separating the candidates of a narrow count. He insisted that the legal framework permits him to take his seat and carry out legislative opposition ahead of the presidential inauguration scheduled for August 7, 2026.
Human Rights Scrutiny and the Final Days of the Havana Embassy
Beyond foreign relations, Cepeda has raised concerns over domestic security proposals from the incoming administration, including the establishment of specialized search blocks, the potential criminalization of social protests, and private megajails. He formally requested that organizations such as the Defensoría del Pueblo, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights monitor the incoming administration’s actions closely.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Gustavo Petro planned a final visit to Cuba to bid farewell to the embassy staff and meet with Cuban leadership, closing out a diplomatic channel originally reestablished by César Gaviria three decades ago. Ambassador José Noé Ríos prepares to conclude his mission in La Habana, marking the end of an era of bilateral representation that survived numerous regional shifts since 1993.
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