Colombia's newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella has announced plans to begin a process of "optimizing" the country's foreign embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions.

Operativ Media reports, citing Democrata.

In the initial phase, Colombia will close its embassies in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Cuba, Palestine, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa.

Additionally, Colombia's diplomatic missions to France and UNESCO, as well as its embassies in Italy and to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, will be merged.