Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered the removal of diplomats from his country’s embassy in Beijing, accusing them of sabotaging relations with China as Bogota pivots sharply away from Washington.
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“There is a foreign ministry [here] that feels ashamed of engaging with China and sabotages relations. All those people have to go,” Petro told ministers on Tuesday.
He said diplomats in Beijing had altered his schedule and cancelled meetings without authorisation when he visited the country in the spring. “That is not relating to humanity. That is colonialism,” he added.
The purge follows Colombia’s formal accession to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in May, the first time Bogota has committed itself to the vast infrastructure and trade programme. The decision marked a sharp break from decades of deference to Washington.
Signed during Petro’s trip to Beijing, the agreement was described by the Colombian foreign ministry as “a historic step” that could unlock investment, technology transfers and major construction projects.
China has already brought much of South America into the Belt and Road Initiative, counting Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Peru and others among its partners. Only Paraguay, which has no formal relations with mainland China, and Brazil now remain outside Beijing’s infrastructure and investment strategy.
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