Colombia announced, on Thursday, the severing of its diplomatic relations with Iran, becoming the latest ally of Washington in Latin America to sever its ties with the arch-enemy of the United States, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse.
The new Colombian President, Abelardo de la Esperilla, who belongs to the right, has redrawn his country's alliances since he took power from his leftist predecessor, Gustavo Petro, on August 7, with strong support from US President Donald Trump.
Before his inauguration, de la Esperría had pledged to also sever ties with the leftist regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua, although he had not yet taken this step.
His government stated Thursday that the decision to sever relations with Iran, which took effect on September 19, was based on considerations related to “the national security of the Western Hemisphere.”
The Colombian government accused Tehran of establishing relations with “terrorist groups involved in the drug trade and threatening the country’s security,” without providing evidence to support these allegations.
The government also strongly criticized Tehran for obstructing shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and attacking other countries in the Middle East as part of its dispute with the United States and Israel.
Bogota indicated that it would maintain consular relations with Tehran.
Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez pledged to hold elections, saying that “the people will determine the appropriate timing” for holding them.
In her first speech before the United Nations General Assembly since assuming power, Rodriguez said that her country was regaining its strength after “setbacks” it suffered this year, and thanked US President Donald Trump for his willingness to resume relations, after US forces removed her predecessor from the country in a military operation.
“Today, Venezuela is being born again,” Rodriguez said in her speech before the international forum.
Rodriguez took power in Venezuela after a surprise US military raid in January, which resulted in the arrest of then-leader Nicolas Maduro and his transfer to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
This is the first visit by a Venezuelan president to the United States since 2018, when Maduro traveled to New York to personally participate in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly. Maduro is currently being held just a few miles from the organization's headquarters, awaiting trial.
“I do not promise that the path forward will be easy,” Rodriguez said, adding that she was addressing her people: “Rebuilding our national spirit will be the priority.”
Argentine President Javier Milley attacked the United Nations in his speech before its General Assembly on Wednesday, considering it a “useless organization.”
Milley, known for his sharp positions and close relationship with US President Donald Trump, accused the United Nations of failing to fulfill its role of ensuring collective security and human rights, noting that it had instead allowed the spread of “chaos, violence, and international terrorism.”
He said: “It has become a useless organization, with no function other than serving a class of very arrogant parasites, disguised as well-intentioned bureaucrats.”
He also accused it of “overlooking” Argentina’s claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (which Argentines call “Malvinas”).
