In a bold diplomatic move, the government of Colombia announced the expulsion of Argentine embassy diplomats on Wednesday. The decision comes as a direct response to the harsh remarks made by Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, about Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, who was recently labeled a “terrorist killer” by Milei. The Colombian Foreign Ministry conveyed the scope of the action through its official channels, stating that the details would be communicated to the Argentine delegation via standard diplomatic pathways. The ministry_—_emphasizing the gravity of Milei’s statements_—_expressed strong repudiation for the remarks aired in a CNN interview, where Milei spoke in denigrating terms about Petro. Officials argued that such language damages long-standing, fraternal ties between Colombia and Argentina and undermines the trust that underpins their bilateral relationship. The Colombian statement underscored that Petro was democratically elected and that the president of Argentina had compromised the dignity of the Colombian leadership.
In the backdrop of these tensions, Milei had also told a national audience that Petro could not be trusted, referring to him as a terrorist scandal that stains Colombia. The Argentine president’s criticism extended beyond Petro and also touched on Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, further signaling a broader pattern of inflammatory commentary that Colombia views as inappropriate for regional diplomacy. The Colombian government noted that such rhetoric reverberates beyond a single leader, affecting regional dialogue and cooperation channels.
The situation followed prior friction when Milei, during another interview, described Petro in loaded terms and asserted that the Colombian leader was undermining the country’s stability. The Colombian Foreign Ministry had earlier summoned its ambassador to Argentina, Camilo Romero, for consultations after Milei accused Petro of criminal behavior and of steering Colombia toward ill winds. The relocation of diplomatic personnel now represents the latest step in responding to perceived offenses and protecting the dignity of Colombian officials on the world stage. The government in Bogotá reaffirmed that it seeks constructive engagement with Argentina, while reserving the right to defend its officials through appropriate diplomatic measures.