Baku: Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has announced plans to close at least 15 embassies, including the Colombian Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of an initiative to reduce government spending. This announcement was made during a televised address where de la Espriella detailed his strategy to streamline diplomatic missions across the globe.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the embassies targeted for closure are located in several countries, namely Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa. The decision underscores a significant shift in Colombia's foreign policy approach as the new administration focuses on fiscal efficiency.

De la Espriella, who secured his victory in the June presidential election, is set to officially take office on August 7. In addition to the closures, he also announced that his administration would halt plans for opening a Colombian embassy in Palestine, further indicating a reevaluation of Colombia's diplomatic priorities.