Foreign relations of Colombia

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Colombia seeks diplomatic and commercial relations with all countries, regardless of their ideologies or political or economic systems. For this reason, the Colombian economy is quite open, relying on international trade and following guidelines given by international law.

Since 2008, Colombia's Ministry of Trade and Commerce has either reached or strengthened Bilateral Trade Agreements with South Korea, Japan and China[1] building stronger commerce interchange and development in the Pacific Rim.

Regional relations have also vastly improved under the Santos Administration (2010–2018). Issues however remain regarding spillover of the FARC leftist-terrorist group, being chased out of hiding in rural areas of Colombia and finding safe havens in non-monitored areas of bordering states. The FARC numbers have significantly diminished in the last decade, to an estimated 5,000–7,000. And while joint military collaboration has steadily increased with the bordering countries of Brazil, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, there have been tensions between Colombia and Ecuador regarding the issue. In 2002, the Ecuadorian government closed its main border crossing with Colombia, restricting its hours of operation. Ecuador continues to voice its concerns over an influx of émigrés stemming from guerilla activity at its borders. Evidence has since emerged however, suggesting that a significant number of the FARC's foot soldiers in and around the Colombia–Ecuador border consist of Ecuadorian émigrés who joined the leftist terrorist group out of need.[2] Returning Ecuadorian émigrés have faced re-entry restrictions.

In 2012, relations with Nicaragua and Venezuela and Ghana were tested over territorial island disputes. Bilateral committees are negotiating the dispute with Venezuela over waters in the Gulf of Venezuela.

Background[]

In 1969, Colombia formed what is now the Andean Community along with Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru (Venezuela joined in 1973, and Chile left in 1976).

In the 1980s, Colombia broadened its bilateral and multilateral relations, joining the Contadora Group, the Group of Eight (now the Rio Group), and the Non-Aligned Movement, which it chaired from 1994 until September 1998. In addition, it has signed free trade agreements with Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Colombia has traditionally played an active role in the United Nations and the Organization of American States and in their subsidiary agencies. Former President César Gaviria became Secretary General of the OAS in September 1994 and was reelected in 1999. Colombia was a participant in the December 1994 and April 1998 Summits of the Americas and followed up on initiatives developed at the summit by hosting two post-summit, ministerial-level meetings on trade and science and technology.

Colombia regularly participates in international fora, including CICAD, the Organization of American States' body on money laundering, chemical controls, and drug abuse prevention. Although the Colombian Government ratified the 1988 UN Convention on Narcotics in 1994—the last of the Andean governments to do so—it took important reservations, notably to the anti-money-laundering measures, asset forfeiture and confiscation provisions, maritime interdiction, and extradition clauses. Colombia subsequently withdrew some of its reservations, most notably a reservation on extradition.

International relations[]

Disputes – international[]

Maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andrés y Providencia and Quita Sueño Bank.[3] The United States disputes sovereignty with Colombia over the Serranilla Bank and the Bajo Nuevo Bank. Quita Sueño Bank is claimed by the United States to be a submerged reef, and thus does not recognize the sovereignty of any nation over the bank.

Membership of international organizations[]

The major organizations in which Colombia is a member include: the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, Andean Pact, Caribbean Development Bank, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Group of 3, Group of 11, Group of 24, Group of 77, Inter-American Development Bank, International Atomic Energy Agency, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Chamber of Commerce, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Labour Organization, International Maritime Organization, International Maritime Satellite Organization, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Olympic Committee, International Organization for Migration, International Organization for Standardization, International Telecommunication Union, International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, International Trade Union Confederation, Latin American Economic System, Latin American Integration Association, Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of American States (OAS), Permanent Court of Arbitration, Rio Group, United Nations (UN), UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNESCO, UN Industrial Development Organization, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, Universal Postal Union, World Confederation of Labour, World Federation of Trade Unions, World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Meteorological Organization, World Tourism Organization, and World Trade Organization.[4] An OAS observer has monitored the government's peace process with the paramilitaries, lending the negotiations much-needed international credibility.[4] The United States helps Colombia secure favorable treatment from the IMF.[citation needed]

Major international treaties[]

Regional treaties include the Andean Pact, now known as the Andean Community, which also includes Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, the bodies and institutions making up the Andean Integration System (AIS). Colombia has signed free-trade agreements with Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Its recent trade agreements with Korea, China and Japan, have focused on economic and technical cooperation between those nations.[citation needed] Within the regional Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom), Colombia has also deepened economic and medical science research collaboration agreements.[citation needed] Colombia has also signed and ratified 105 international treaties or agreements relating to the protection of the environment.[4] These include the Antarctic Treaty and Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and conventions on Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, and Wetlands.[4] It has signed, but not ratified, the Antarctic-Environmental Protocol and conventions on Law of the Sea and Marine Dumping.[4] Colombia also has signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Tlatelolco Treaty.[4] By 1975 signatories to the 1974 Declaration of Ayacucho, of which Colombia was one, had decided on limitations to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.[4]

Gaining all 186 votes, Colombia served on the U.N. Security Council from 2011 to 2012 representing Latin American and the Caribbean.

Colombia is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the United States-military (as covered under Article 98).

Domestic politics and foreign policy[]

International Relations scholars long emphasized international constraints, and particularly Colombia's relationship with the United States, as central to its foreign policy.[5] In terms of foreign policy process, presidents have broad constitutional authorities, in consultation with their foreign ministers. However, since the 2000s, the influence of other domestic actors in Colombian foreign policy-making has increased. Long, Bitar, and Jiménez-Peña examine the role of the Colombian Constitutional Court, congressional politics, social movements, and electoral challengers. They find that Colombian institutions permit increasing challenges to presidential authority, and that in important cases Colombian presidents have been forced to drop their preferred foreign policies.[6]

Bilateral relations[]

Africa[]

Country Formal relations began Notes
 Algeria
  • Algeria has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Algiers.
 Egypt
  • Colombia has an embassy in Cairo.
  • Egypt has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Equatorial Guinea
  • Colombia is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.
  • Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Ghana
  • Colombia has an embassy in Accra.
  • Ghana is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Kenya
  • Colombia has an embassy in Nairobi.
  • Kenya is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Libya

On August 22, 2011 Colombia officially recognized the National Transitional Council as the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

 Morocco
  • Colombia has an embassy in Rabat.
  • Moroccos has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Namibia
  • Colombia is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Namibia is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Nigeria 1 January 1979
  • Colombia is accredited to Nigeria from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.
  • Nigeria is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
 South Africa
  • Colombia has an embassy in Pretoria.
  • South Africa is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.

Americas[]

Country Formal relations began Notes
 Argentina 1823-03-03
 Bolivia See Bolivia–Colombia relations
  • Bolivia has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Colombia has an embassy in La Paz.
 Brazil See Brazil–Colombia relations
  • Brazil has an embassy in Bogotá and a vice-consulate in Leticia.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in Manaus, São Paulo and in Tabatinga.
 Canada 1953 See Canada–Colombia relations
  • Canada has an embassy in Bogotá.[8]
  • Colombia has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.[9]
 Chile See Chile–Colombia relations

Both nations are members of the Pacific Alliance.

  • Chile has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Santiago.
 Costa Rica
  • Colombia has an embassy in San José.
  • Costa Rica has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Cuba
  • Colombia has an embassy in Havana.
  • Cuba has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Dominican Republic
  • Colombia has an embassy in Santo Domingo.
  • Dominican Republic has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Ecuador 1831-12 See Colombia–Ecuador relations

Present-day Colombia and Ecuador trace back established official diplomatic relations to December, 1831 with the signing of the Treaty of Pasto, in which both countries recognized each other as sovereign states. The Ecuadorean diplomatic mission in New Granada (Colombia) did not open until 1837. It wasn't until 1939 that Ecuador raised the diplomatic mission's status to an official embassy. Colombia did the same the following year, in 1940.[10]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Quito.
  • Ecuador has an embassy in Bogotá.
 El Salvador
  • Colombia has an embassy in San Salvador.
  • El Salvador has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Guatemala
  • Colombia has an embassy in Guatemala City.
  • Guatemala has ane embassy in Bogotá.
 Guyana 1970
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 18 December 1970.[11]
  • Both countries are full members of Organization of American States, Association of Caribbean States and Union of South American Nations.
  • Colombia is accredited to Guyana from its embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Guyana is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
 Haiti
  • Colombia is accredited to Haiti from its embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
  • Haiti has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Honduras
  • Colombia has an embassy in Tegucigalpa.
  • Honduras has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Jamaica
  • Colombia has an embassy in Kingston.
  • Jamaica has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Mexico 1823-10-03 See Colombia–Mexico relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Mexico City and consulates in Cancún and Guadalajara.[12]
  • Mexico has an embassy in Bogotá.[13]
  • Both countries are full members of the Organization of American States and the Pacific Alliance.
 Nicaragua 1928 See Colombia–Nicaragua relations

The relationship between the two Latin American countries has evolved amid conflicts over the San Andrés y Providencia Islands located in the Caribbean close to the Nicaraguan shoreline and the maritime boundaries covering 150,000 km2 (57,915 sq mi) that included the islands of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina and the banks of Roncador, Serrana, Serranilla and Quitasueño as well as the arbitrarily designed 82nd meridian west which Colombia claims as a border but which the International Court has sided with Nicaragua in disavowing.[14]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Managua.
  • Nicaragua has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Panama
  • Colombia has an embassy in Panama City.
  • Panama has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Paraguay 5 June 1880 See Colombia–Paraguay relations
 Peru See Colombia–Peru relations

Both nations are members of the Pacific Alliance.

  • Colombia has an embassy in Lima and a consulate-general in Iquitos.
  • Peru has an embassy in Bogotá and a consulate-general in Leticia.
 Suriname
  • Colombia is accredited to Suriname from its embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Suriname is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
 Trinidad and Tobago
  • Colombia has an embassy in Port of Spain.
  • Trinidad and Tobago is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
 United States See Colombia–United States relations
Colombia President Iván Duque with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House, February 2019.

The country traditionally has had good relations with the United States. Relations were strained during the presidency of Ernesto Samper (1994–98) due to accusations of receiving illegal campaign funding from the Cali Cartel. Relations between the two countries greatly improved during the Pastrana administration (1998–2002). In January 2000, the Clinton administration pledged more than US$1 billion of mainly military assistance to Colombia to assist the antidrug component of President Pastrana's strategy known as Plan Colombia.

Relations with the United States became a foreign policy priority for the Uribe administration, and Colombia became an important ally in the "War on Terrorism". In March 2002, in response to a request from U.S. President George W. Bush, the U.S. Congress lifted restrictions on U.S. assistance to Colombia to allow it to be used for counterinsurgency in addition to antidrug operations. U.S. support for Colombia's antidrug-trafficking efforts included slightly more than US$2.5 billion between 2000 and 2004, as compared with only about US$300 million in 1998. Some critics of current US policies in Colombia, such as Law Professor John Barry, claim that US influences have catalyzed internal conflicts.

Embassy of Colombia in Washington, D.C.

Colombia rejects threats and blackmail of the United States of America after the threat of Donald Trump to decertify the country as a partner in counter-narcotics efforts.[15]

For more than 30 years Colombia has demonstrated its commitment – paying a very high cost in human lives – with overcoming the drug problem. This commitment stems from the profound conviction that the consumption, production and trafficking of drugs constitute a serious threat to the well-being and security of citizens. Colombia is undoubtedly the country that has fought the most drugs and with more successes on this front. No one has to threaten us to meet this challenge.

— Colombia’s National Government [15]

The problem of drugs is global. Overcoming it can only be achieved through cooperation and under the principle of joint responsibility. Consumer countries’ authorities have a fundamental responsibility to their fellow citizens and the world to reduce consumption and to attack trafficking and distribution organizations in their own countries.

— Colombia’s National Government [15]

Latin America rejects Trump's military threat against Venezuela.[16] Brazil, Colombia and other countries in the region prefer to play a constructive role that would prevent a civil war in Venezuela.[17] Colombia's Foreign Ministry said that all efforts to resolve Venezuela's crisis should be peaceful.[18] Colombia proposed the idea of the Sustainable Development Goals and a final document was adopted by the United Nations.[19]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orlando, San Francisco and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[20]
  • United States has an embassy in Bogotá and a consulate-general in Cartagena.[21]
 Uruguay See Colombia–Uruguay relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Montevideo.
  • Uruguay has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Venezuela 1830 See Colombia–Venezuela relations

The relationship has developed since the early 16th century, when Spanish empire colonizers created the Province of Santa Marta (now Colombia)[unreliable source?][22] and the Province of New Andalucia (now Venezuela).[23] The countries share a history for achieving their independence under Simón Bolívar and becoming one nation—the Gran Colombia—which dissolved in the 19th century.[24] Following then, the overall relationship between the two countries has vacillated between cooperation and bilateral struggle.

In February 2019, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro cut diplomatic relations with Colombia after Colombian President Ivan Duque helped Venezuelan opposition politicians deliver humanitarian aid to their country. Colombia recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s legitimate president. In January 2020, Colombia rejected Maduro’s proposal that the two countries restore diplomatic relations.[25]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Caracas.
  • Venezuela has an embassy in Bogotá.

Asia[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia 22 December 1994

Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1994.[26]

  • Armenia is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
  • Colombia is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
 Azerbaijan 13 December 1994
  • Azerbaijan has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Baku.[27]
 Bhutan

Official diplomatic relations were first established on December 21, 2012.[28]

 China 7 February 1980 See China–Colombia relations
  • China has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
 India
Main article: Colombia–India relations

The relationship between the two countries has been gradually increasing with more frequent diplomatic visits to promote political, commercial cultural and academic exchanges. Colombia is currently the commercial point of entry into Latin America for Indian companies.[29]

 Indonesia
Main article: Colombia–Indonesia relations

Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, the Cairns Group, and the CIVETS block.

  • Colombia has an embassy in Jakarta.
  • Indonesia has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Iran
  • Colombia is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
  • Iran has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Israel
Main article: Colombia–Israel relations

In an article in the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, Marcos Peckel, a Colombian scholar noted that Colombian-Israeli relations can be looked through the lenses of military cooperation, trade links, education and culture, and recognition of Palestine.[33] Militarily, Colombia was one of the first countries to give Israel weapons and engage in arms deals, which has since been an ongoing bilateral agreement. Since, Israel and Colombia have shared intelligence, and as Peckel explains, several pieces of Israeli technology. Trade-wise, too, both countries have a strong relationship. The Free Trade Agreement, a pending agreement between Colombia and Israel, has the potential to further strengthen these relationships by boosting Colombian imports in Israel and increasing the presence of Israeli technology in Colombia. The spheres of education and culture between Colombia and Israel are deeply interwoven through Israeli scholarships to Colombians and a presence of media in each country.

"Colombia supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel within mutually agreed-upon borders. It considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal but strongly condemns Palestinian terrorism, and it advocates for a lasting peace based on the two-state solution". On resolutions in the UN General Assembly that compared Zionism to racism and wanted to establish a "right to return" for Palestinians, Colombia abstained. in 2018, Colombia officially recognized the State of Palestine. Despite creating a bump in the relations between the countries, the two have re-established strong relations.

Colombia has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Bogotá.

 Japan
Main article: Colombia–Japan relations

The relationship was officially established in 1908, only interrupted between 1942 and 1954 with the surge of World War II. Relations are mostly based on commercial trade that has favored Japan interests, cultural exchanges and technological and philanthropic aid to Colombia.[34]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Tokyo.
  • Japan has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Lebanon
  • Colombia has an embassy in Beirut.
  • Lebanon has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Malaysia 19 August 1987[35]
Main article: Colombia–Malaysia relations

Ambassador of Colombia in Malaysia also accredited to Vietnam, while Malaysian Embassy in Lima, Peru, accredited to Colombia. Both are members of United Nations, Movement of Non-Aligned Cooperation Forum Asia-Latin America (FEALAC) and Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).

  • Colombia has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Malaysia is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
 Pakistan

Both Pakistan and Colombia do not enjoy cordial dealings with some of their neighbours. Another common aspect that makes the task of both Colombian and Pakistan Armed forces even tougher is the difficult terrain they have been encountering. Poverty, income inequality, destruction and degradation of other vital organs of the state have consequently been the natural by-products of insubordination and rebellions in both Colombia and Pakistan. Both the countries have similar Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) too. While the Colombian Purchasing Power Parity GDP stands at $460.406 billion, Pakistan s GDP stands at $464.897 billion (latest IMF statistics). Like Colombia, Pakistan too also witnesses a large presence of the US military personnel and civilian contractors on its territory. Colombia established diplomatic relations with Pakistan in 1980, but bilateral trade between the two countries was negligible which needed to be improved for the benefit of both nations.

  • Colombia is accredited to Pakistan from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
  • Pakistan is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Palestine

Colombia recognised Palestine on August 8, 2018.

 Philippines
  • Colombia has an embassy in Manila.
  • Philippines is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 South Korea 10 March 1962[36] See Colombia–South Korea relations
 Thailand 20 April 1979
  • Colombia has an embassy in Bangkok.
  • Thailand is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
 Turkey 1959[39] See Colombia–Turkey relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Ankara.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Both countries are members of OECD and WTO.
  • Direct flights from Istanbul to Bogotá commenced in May 2016.
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$1.7 billion USD in 2019 (Colombian exports/imports: 1.46/0.25 billion USD.[40]
 United Arab Emirates
  • Colombia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Vietnam
  • Colombia has an embassy in Hanoi.
  • Vietnam is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.

Europe[]

Under the Uribe administration, Colombia's relations with the European Union (EU) have been cordial. Representatives of the EU have been critical of Colombia's antiguerrilla and antidrug strategies in several respects. The EU is particularly concerned about the potential for increased human rights abuses within Colombia at the hands of both government forces and illegal armed groups, and it has continued to distance itself from Plan Colombia. The EU is in favor of a negotiated solution to the nation's internal conflict. EU aid to Colombia has mainly consisted of social, economic and development investments.

In 2004, the EU as an entity did not offer unrestricted support for the Uribe government's peace initiative with paramilitaries, citing concerns over the possible lack of a credible and comprehensive peace strategy and its application, but it did approve US$2 million in aid for the process. Individual EU members such Sweden, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands also provided limited support on their own.[41]

Country Formal relations began Notes
 Andorra 1995
  • Colombia's embassy in Madrid, Spain is accredited to the Principality of Andorra.

In February 2013, Colombia's Foreign Minister at the time made an official visit to Andorra in order to strengthen relations between the two countries.[42]

 Austria 1920 See Austria–Colombia relations
  • Austria has an embassy in Bogotá.
  • Colombia has an embassy in Vienna.
 Belarus 1992

On May 19, 1998, Colombia and Belarus signed a collaboration agreement between both countries.[43]

  • Belarus is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Quito, Ecuador.
  • Colombia is accredited to Belarus from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
 Belgium
  • Belgium has an embassy in Bogotá.[44]
  • Colombia has an embassy in Brussels[45]
 Czech Republic
 Denmark
  • Colombia is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Denmark has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Finland
  • Colombia has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Bogotá.
 France 30 May 1892 See Colombia–France relations

Officially the relations between Colombian and France began on May 30, 1892 with the signature of an agreement intended to establish French nationals in Colombia, increase commerce and navigation between the two nations.[52]

  • Colombia has an embassy in Paris.
  • France has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Germany
  • Colombia has an embassy in Berlin and a consulate-general in Frankfurt.
  • Germany has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Greece
  • Colombia is accredited to Greece from its embassy in Rome, Italy, and maintains an honorary consulate in Athens.[53]
  • Greece is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela and maintains honorary consulates in Bogotá and Cartagena.
 Hungary 28 March 1973 See Colombia–Hungary relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Budapest.
  • Hungary has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Iceland 1981
  • Colombia is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Iceland is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Ottawa, Canada.[54]
  • Iceland and Colombia have a Free Trade Agreement through the EFTA[55]
 Ireland See Colombia–Ireland relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Dublin.
  • Ireland has an embassy in Bogotá.[56]
 Italy
  • Colombia has an embassy in Rome and a consulate-general in Milan.[57]
  • Italy has an embassy in Bogotá and 4 honorary consulates (in Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellín).[58]
  • Both countries are full members of the Latin Union.
 Kosovo 3 March 2019
Main article: Colombia–Kosovo relations
  • Colombia recognized Kosovo on August 6, 2008.[59]
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 3 March 2019.[60]
  • Kosovo will open an embassy in Bogotá.[61]
 Liechtenstein 2001
  • Colombia is accredited to Liechtenstein from its embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
  • Liechtenstein and Colombia have a Free Trade Agreement through the EFTA.[62]
 Monaco 2000
  • Colombia is accredited to Monaco from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Monaco has an honorary consulate in Colombia.

Colombia and Monaco first stablished diplomatic relations in December 2000. In 2012, Colombia's ambassador to France at the time, presented to Monaco its credentials becoming the first non-resident ambassador to the country.[63] In August, 2012, Colombia's flagship ARC Gloria visited the port of Monte Carlo and received over 3,000 visitors on its visit.

 Montenegro 12 August 2011

Colombia recognized Montenegro on September 30, 2006 and established diplomatic relations on August 12, 2011.[64]

  • Colombia is accredited to Montenegro from its embassy in Vienna, Austria.
  • Montenegro does not have an accreditation to Colombia.
 Norway
  • Colombia has an embassy in Oslo.
  • Norway has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Poland 1931 See Colombia–Poland relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Portugal
  • Colombia has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Russia 1935 See Colombia–Russia relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Bogotá.
 Serbia 1966
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations in December 1966.[65]
  • A number of bilateral agreements in various fields have been concluded and are in force between both countries.[66]
  • Colombia is accredited to Serbia from its embassy in Vienna, Austria.
  • Serbia is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
 Spain See Colombia–Spain relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Madrid; consulates-general in Barcelona and Seville and consulates in Bilbao, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia.[67]
  • Spain has an embassy in Bogotá.[68]
 Sweden 1875
  • Colombia has an embassy in Stockholm.[69]
  • Sweden has an embassy in Bogotá and honorary consulates in Cali, Cartagena and Medellín.[70]
  Switzerland
  • Colombia has an embassy in Bern.
  • Switzerland has an embassy in Bogotá.
 United Kingdom 18 April 1825
Main article: Colombia–United Kingdom relations

Oceania[]

Country Formal relations began Notes
 Australia
  • Australia has an embassy in Bogotá.[74]
  • Colombia has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate-general in Sydney.[75]
 New Zealand 1 May 1978 See Colombia–New Zealand relations
  • Colombia is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia[75] and maintains a consulate-general in Auckland.[76]
  • New Zealand has an embassy in Bogotá.[77]

Transnational issues[]

Narcotics and terrorism[]

By the 1990s, Colombia had become the world's leading supplier of refined cocaine and a growing source for heroin. More than 90% of the cocaine that entered in the 1990s the United States was produced, processed, or transshipped in Colombia. The cultivation of coca dropped between 1995 and 1999 from 3,020 to 1,100 km2 (425 sq mi), primarily in areas where government control was more active.

Despite the death of Medellín cartel drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in 1993 and the arrests of major Cali cartel leaders in 1995 and 1996, Colombian drug cartels remain among the most sophisticated criminal organizations in the world, controlling cocaine processing, international wholesale distribution chains, and markets. In 1999 Colombian police arrested over 30 narcotraffickers, most of them extraditable, in "Operation Millennium" involving extensive international cooperation. More arrests were made in a following "Operation Millennium II."

Colombia is engaged in a broad range of narcotics control activities. Through aerial spraying of herbicide and manual eradication, Colombia has attempted to keep coca, opium poppy, and cannabis cultivation from expanding. The government has committed itself to the eradication of all illicit crops, interdiction of drug shipments, and financial controls to prevent money laundering. Alternative development programs were introduced in 1999.

Corruption and intimidation by traffickers complicate the drug-control efforts of the institutions of government. Colombia passed revised criminal procedures code in 1993 that permits traffickers to surrender and negotiate lenient sentences in return for cooperating with prosecutors. In December 1996 and February 1997, however, the Colombian Congress passed legislation to toughen sentencing, asset forfeiture, and money-laundering penalties.

In November 1997, the Colombian Congress amended the constitution to permit the extradition of Colombian nationals, albeit not retroactively. In late 1999, President Pastrana authorized the first extradition in almost 10 years of a Colombian trafficker to stand trial for U.S. crimes. Three such extraditions to the United States have taken place, the most recent in August 2000, with cases against others pending in Colombian courts. Under the Pastrana administration, Plan Colombia was developed and implemented with U.S. backing.[78]

During the presidency of Álvaro Uribe, the government applied more military pressure on the FARC and other outlawed groups. After the offensive, many security indicators improved. Colombia achieved a great decrease in cocaine production, leading White House drug czar R. Gil Kerlikowske to announce that Colombia is no longer the world's biggest producer of cocaine.[79][80]

In addition to the challenge posed to the United States by Colombian drug trafficking, illegal Colombian immigrants in the United States are an issue in Colombia-U.S. relations. According to figures from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Colombia is the fourth-leading source country of illegal immigration to the United States. According to its estimates, the number of illegal Colombian residents in the United States almost tripled from 51,000 in 1990 to 141,000 in 2000.[81] According to the US Census Bureau, the number of authorized Colombian immigrants in the United States in 2006 was 801,363.[82]

Colombia rejects threats and blackmail of the United States of America after the threat of Donald Trump to decertify the country as a partner in counter-narcotics efforts.[15]

For more than 30 years Colombia has demonstrated its commitment – paying a very high cost in human lives – with overcoming the drug problem. This commitment stems from the profound conviction that the consumption, production and trafficking of drugs constitute a serious threat to the well-being and security of citizens. Colombia is undoubtedly the country that has fought the most drugs and with more successes on this front. No one has to threaten us to meet this challenge.

— Colombia’s National Government [15]

The problem of drugs is global. Overcoming it can only be achieved through cooperation and under the principle of joint responsibility. Consumer countries’ authorities have a fundamental responsibility to their fellow citizens and the world to reduce consumption and to attack trafficking and distribution organizations in their own countries.

— Colombia’s National Government [15]

See also[]

References[]

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  2. ^ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Ecuador". United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  3. ^ Long, Tom; Bitar, Sebastián; Jiménez‐Peña, Gabriel (2019). "Domestic Contestation and Presidential Prerogative in Colombian Foreign Policy". Bulletin of Latin American Research. 39 (4): 10–11. doi:10.1111/blar.12987. ISSN 1470-9856.
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  6. ^ Long, Tom; Bitar, Sebastián; Jiménez‐Peña, Gabriel (2019). "Domestic Contestation and Presidential Prerogative in Colombian Foreign Policy". Bulletin of Latin American Research. 39 (4): 466–482. doi:10.1111/blar.12987. ISSN 1470-9856.
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