Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Cuba, just days before the end of his term, is not seen as only a farewell visit. It is also viewed as Petro’s final foreign policy message, showing the direction Colombia has followed in international affairs over the last four years. At the same time, the visit clearly contrasts with the foreign policy vision announced by President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella. By choosing Havana as his last foreign destination, Petro has sent a symbolic message about Colombia’s regional position at a time when ideological divisions in Latin America are becoming stronger again. The visit also has a broader meaning in terms of United States (U.S.)–Cuba relations, the Israel–Palestine issue, and the changes in Colombia’s traditional foreign policy.[i]
During Petro’s administration, Colombia’s foreign policy has clearly differed from that of previous conservative governments. For many years, the government in Bogotá was seen as one of Washington’s closest strategic partners in Latin America. In particular, the close cooperation with the United States under Plan Colombia in the field of security became one of the main pillars of Colombia’s foreign policy. After taking office, however, Petro adopted a more independent approach to foreign policy. He placed greater importance on regional diplomacy and supported strengthening relations with other Latin American countries. This approach became more visible through the restoration of diplomatic relations with Venezuela, closer contacts with Cuba, and Colombia’s position on the Israel–Palestine issue.
For this reason, Petro’s final official foreign visit to Cuba should not be seen as only a diplomatic courtesy visit. Cuba has long been under U.S. sanctions and has become one of the main symbols of ideological division in Latin America. Petro’s meeting with President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana represented a final international confirmation of the regional solidarity that Colombia has promoted over the past four years.
The timing of the visit is also significant. During his election campaign, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced that he would sever diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua, close the Colombian Embassy in Cuba, and restore stronger ties with Israel.[ii] Therefore, Petro’s visit to Havana not only reflects the current administration’s foreign policy priorities but also represents the final symbolic step of a diplomatic approach that will come to an end in the near future.
Petro’s statements before the visit should also be understood in this context. He explained his decision not to attend the United Nations meeting by referring to changes in the protocol arrangements and described Cuba as “vital for national sovereignty and the struggle for life in the Caribbean.”.[iii] This statement highlights the importance Petro places on the principle of sovereignty in his understanding of international relations. In particular, his critical stance toward the long-standing U.S. sanctions on Cuba is consistent with the traditional political discourse in Latin America that opposes external intervention.
However, it would be incomplete to define Petro’s foreign policy approach simply as “anti-American.” Throughout Petro’s administration, Colombia has continued to maintain diplomatic relations with the United States and has not completely ended cooperation in areas such as security and trade. However, unlike previous Colombian governments that largely followed Washington’s policies in Latin America without question, Petro has tried to create a more independent diplomatic space. In this sense, Petro’s approach is not based on breaking relations with the United States, but rather on shaping Colombia’s foreign policy decisions more strongly according to national priorities.
However, describing Petro’s foreign policy simply as “anti-American” would be an incomplete assessment. During his administration, Colombia has continued to maintain diplomatic relations with the United States and has not ended cooperation in areas such as security and trade. Unlike previous Colombian governments, which generally aligned closely with Washington’s policies toward Latin America, Petro has sought to create a more independent diplomatic space. In this sense, his approach is not based on weakening relations with the United States but on shaping Colombia’s foreign policy decisions more in line with its national priorities. This approach is particularly visible in Colombia’s policies toward Cuba, Venezuela, and Palestine.
The Petro administration has also cut diplomatic relations with Israel, strengthened Palestine’s diplomatic representation, and decided to open an embassy in Ramallah. His acceptance of the credentials of the new Palestinian ambassador during the final days of his presidency is widely seen as a final confirmation of his foreign policy direction.
When Petro’s statements on Palestine are considered together with his visit to Cuba, they reveal a common foreign policy approach. This approach is critical of the unilateral use of power in the international system and supports international law and diplomatic solutions as the best way to resolve conflicts. Petro’s strong statements on Gaza and his criticism of the U.S. sanctions on Cuba reflect the same political perspective.
At the same time, Petro’s policy toward Cuba has also generated debate. Although Colombia is one of the region’s important oil producers, his government has not provided significant practical support to meet Cuba’s energy needs. This has led to criticism that there is a gap between political rhetoric and actual policy. As a result, Petro’s Cuba policy is discussed not only in terms of ideological solidarity but also in terms of its practical capacity. It also raises broader questions about how far regional solidarity in Latin America can be supported by economic and geopolitical realities.
From the perspective of Colombia-Cuba relations, Havana is more than just an ideological partner. For many years, Cuba has served as a mediator and host for Colombia’s peace negotiations. A large part of the talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) has taken place in Havana, with the Cuban government acting as a facilitator. Petro’s previous visits to Cuba for peace negotiations also show that the relationship between the two countries extends beyond political solidarity. However, the incoming administration’s announcement that it intends to suspend diplomatic relations has created uncertainty about the future of these cooperation mechanisms.
From the perspective of the United States, Petro’s visit is unlikely to bring immediate changes to bilateral relations. However, its symbolic significance is considerable. For decades, Washington has regarded Colombia as one of its closest security partners in Latin America. Under Petro, this partnership has not ended, but Colombia’s foreign policy has become more balanced and multilateral. The visit to Havana stands out as one of the final symbols of this transformation.
The foreign policy priorities announced by President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suggest that Colombia will move toward closer relations with the United States. His promises to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, relocate the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem, cut diplomatic ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, and strengthen strategic cooperation with Washington indicate that Colombia may return to its more traditional Atlantic-oriented foreign policy. This represents a clear departure from the regional diplomacy promoted during Petro’s presidency.
In conclusion, Gustavo Petro’s visit to Cuba in the final days of his presidency carries significance far beyond a routine diplomatic meeting. The visit represents the last international message of his four-year foreign policy, symbolically reflecting his commitment to sovereignty, multilateral diplomacy, and regional cooperation in Latin America. At the same time, it stands in clear contrast to the foreign policy priorities announced by the incoming administration, suggesting that Colombia may soon experience a major shift in its foreign policy direction. In this context, the Havana visit can be seen not only as an important moment in Colombia-Cuba relations but also as a reflection of changing geopolitical dynamics in Latin America and Colombia’s search for a new place in the international system.
[i] “Gustavo Petro Visits Cuba on Last Official Foreign Tour as President”, Orinoco Tribune, https://orinocotribune.com/gustavo-petro-visits-cuba-on-last-official-foreign-tour-as-president/, (Erişim Tarihi: 02.08.2026).
[ii] Aynı yer.
[iii] Aynı yer.
