Iran: Colombia’s ‘baseless’ allegations violate mutual respect, interests

Iranian Foreign Ministry has vehemently rejected Colombia’s “baseless” allegations against Tehran, saying such claims run counter to the principle of mutual respect and the interests of the two nations.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry also slammed Colombia’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with Iran, saying the move came despite more than half a century of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“The Colombian government’s move to level unfounded accusations against Iran while simultaneously announcing the severance of diplomatic relations, which have a history spanning more than half a century, runs counter to the principle of mutual respect and is contrary to the interests of the two nations,” it said.

It noted that none of the allegations cited by Colombia to justify the severance of ties with Iran were “justified or logical,” emphasizing that the move was solely the result of the influence of the Israeli regime and the United States.

Based on irrefutable documents and evidence, the Colombian government has been deeply influenced by drug production and distribution cartels and is a part of the notorious narco-terrorism network in the Americas and beyond, the ministry said.

It added that Colombia "is in no position whatsoever to preach to others about terrorism and drugs."

"Such hypocritical projection cannot absolve the Colombian government of its international responsibility for participating in the smuggling of large consignments of drug around the world, including to Iran," the statement pointed out.

The ministry pointed to the seizure of 55 kilograms of pure Colombian cocaine in Tehran in September as “one of the most recent cases of transnational organized crime attributed to the Colombian government”, saying the shipment was smuggled directly into Iran by a network linked to influential Colombian individuals.

It said the relevant Colombian authorities were expected to cooperate within the framework of their international legal obligations to identify the key elements involved in trafficking the shipment and similar consignments to Iran and other countries in the region instead of reacting hastily.

The ministry reiterated that Iran would take the necessary strategies to protect its national interests vis-à-vis Colombia’s “unjustified and hostile approach.”

Colombia severs Iran ties as new US-backed leader pivots to Israel

Colombia’s new US-backed government has severed diplomatic ties with Iran, as the right-wing administration of dual US citizen Abelardo de la Espriella moves to realign Bogotá firmly with Washington and Israel.

The statement came after Colombia’s new US-backed government severed diplomatic ties with Iran, as the right-wing administration of dual US citizen Abelardo de la Espriella moves to realign Bogotá firmly with Washington and Israel.

In a statement on Thursday, the Colombian Foreign Ministry claimed that the decision to cut ties with Iran, which took effect on September 19, was based on "hemispheric national security" considerations.

It claimed, without any proof, that the Iranian government has ties to "narco-terrorist groups that threaten the security of the country."

Colombia also designated the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist” organization, in a move clearly aimed at appeasing the US and the terrorist entity of Israel.

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