Colombia's president-elect vows to break ties with Cuba, Nicaragua

Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella vowed to break off diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua when he takes office on August 7.

De la Espriella said he would also close "around 15 consulates" and different embassies in countries including Algeria, Barbados, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, Senegal and South Africa. However, the decisions "do not mean breaking off diplomatic relations with those countries, except with Cuba and Nicaragua," he added. He also announced plans to close 14 embassies and suspend the opening of an embassy in Palestine as part of efforts to streamline diplomatic missions.