Colombia's new US-backed government cuts ties with Iran

BOGOTA: Colombia said Thursday it had cut diplomatic ties with Iran, the latest Washington ally in Latin America to sever links with the US arch-foe.

Colombia's new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has redrawn Colombia's alliances since taking over from his leftist predecessor Gustavo Petro on Aug 7 with the full-throated endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

Before his inauguration, De la Espriella also announced plans to sever ties with authoritarian leftist regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua, though he has yet to do so.

His government said Thursday the decision to cut ties with Iran, which took effect on Sept 19, was based on "hemispheric national security" considerations.

It accused the Iranian government of having ties to "narco-terrorist groups that threaten the security of the country", without giving proof of the allegations.

The government further lambasted Teheran for blocking traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and attacking other countries in the Middle East in its war with the United States and Israel.

Bogota added that it would maintain consular relations with Teheran.