Columbian, Argentinian foreign ministers hold talks amid diplomatic tension

By Sinan Dogan

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo met with his Argentine counterpart Diana Mondino on Friday after months of diplomatic tension.

Colombia had announced the deportation of all Argentinian diplomats in the country on March 28 following Argentine President Javier Milei's remarks calling Colombian President Gustavo Petro a "terrorist murderer."

Mondino, who visited Colombia, met with Murillo at the San Carlos Palace in the capital, Bogota.

Following the closed-door meeting, the Colombian Foreign Ministry announced that a productive discussion had taken place between the two ministers on tourism, defense, trade, and sustainable development issues.

Colombian Foreign Minister Murillo noted the longstanding close relationship between the two countries, stating that they were opening a new chapter for the benefit of the Colombian and Argentinian peoples.

In January, Colombia recalled its ambassador to Argentina after similar comments from Milei tagged Gustavo a “murderous communist who is sinking Colombia”.

Following Milei's victory in the presidential runoff on Nov. 19, 2023, Petro described the outcome as disappointing.

Petro's comparison of Milei to Argentina's former dictator Jorge Videla and Chile's former military dictator Augusto Pinochet also contributed to the tension between the two countries.