Colombia has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Iran, accusing Tehran of links to international terrorist and narco-terrorist organizations.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government of Colombia, announces that it is officially severing diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website, according to TASS.

According to the ministry, the decision was based on what Bogotá described as ties between the Iranian government and international terrorist and other narco-terrorist organizations that pose a threat to Colombia’s security.

Colombia also accused Iranian authorities of involvement in human rights violations, attacks on countries not participating in the conflict in the Middle East, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and efforts to obstruct the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work to assess the scope of Iran’s nuclear program.

The Colombian Foreign Ministry stressed that the decision to sever diplomatic relations does not mean a break in consular relations.

The move comes after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as Colombia’s president in August. He has advocated closer military cooperation with the United States and said he would consider allowing US forces to participate in strikes against drug cartel laboratories.

De la Espriella has also said he plans to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, which were severed by the government of Gustavo Petro in May 2024 amid the war in Gaza.