Colombian President Gustavo Petro has removed his entire diplomatic team from the country’s embassy in Beijing, alleging that they tried to undermine his efforts to strengthen ties with China. The decision follows Colombia’s entry into China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which Petro describes as a turning point in global cooperation. This bold diplomatic move marks a major transformation in Colombia’s foreign relations and heightens tension with the US. Domestically, Petro’s push toward China has sparked division among business leaders wary of losing US trade connections. As tariff disputes and visa restrictions intensify, Colombia’s strategy to align more closely with Beijing could reshape its international influence and redefine its place in the growing US China rivalry.
