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

Colombia said on 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 7 August with the full-throated endorsement of US President Donald Trump. De la Espriella's government accused the Iranian government of having ties to "narco-terrorist groups that threaten the security of the country," without giving proof of the allegations. Iran's foreign ministry hit back on Friday, calling the allegations "baseless claims". "It is clear that none of the claims put forward by the Colombian government to justify this decision are valid or logical, and that this decision has been made solely under the influence of the Zionist regime and the United States."