In a significant geopolitical shift, Colombia, under the leadership of its new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, has officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the contested territory of Western Sahara. This decision marks a departure from Colombia's previous diplomatic stance, as the nation has frozen its diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and discontinued its support for the Polisario Front, a group advocating for the independence of Western Sahara. This territory has been under Moroccan control since 1975, a situation that has faced international condemnation and defiance from the United Nations. This recognition echoes actions taken during the first Trump administration, which in 2020 acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty as part of a broader strategy to normalize relations between Israel and various Arab nations.
In related news, Colombia is grappling with the devastating aftermath of a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the northwestern Chocó region, claiming the lives of over 160 individuals. The earthquake, which also affected numerous buildings and infrastructure, has raised concerns that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue. President de la Espriella, who assumed office just days prior to the quake, has declared a state of emergency to address the crisis. The U.S. Geological Survey identified the quake's epicenter near the small town of San José del Palmar, a community of roughly 5,000 residents. As rescue efforts unfold, local populations are calling for unity and support to recover from this disaster.
As reported by democracynow.org.
