Colombia withdraws from the Equal Rights Coalition
The Government of Colombia has made official its withdrawal from the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an international body of great relevance that brings together 45 nations committed to the defense of the rights of the LGBTI community. The decision, formally communicated by the Colombian Foreign Ministry, took various sectors by surprise, given that the country was currently holding the co-presidency of this group together with Spain.
The measure was executed immediately, interrupting the mandate that Colombia had assumed just in December 2024. Given this scenario, the organization Caribe Afirmativo has requested public explanations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointing out the lack of clarity regarding the reasons that led to abandoning this instance of international cooperation.
Implications of the coalition’s exit
The Equal Rights Coalition is a key platform that articulates efforts between governments and civil society to strengthen diplomacy, legislation, and public policies focused on humanitarian protection and the Sustainable Development Goals. From Caribe Afirmativo, deep concern has been expressed regarding the impact of this decision on the country’s foreign agenda.
The rights of the LGBTI community must be treated as permanent State commitments, ensuring that they are not violated or subject to changes in administration or temporary political stances.
Caribe Afirmativo
Unofficial versions suggest that the withdrawal is motivated by the current administration’s perception that participation in said body was part of the predecessor government’s agenda. This stance has raised questions about the continuity of the Feminist Foreign Policy and the fate of the resources allocated for equality during the year 2027.
Current political context
This decision is part of the administration of President Abelardo de la Espriella. During his electoral campaign, the leader made public his stance against equal adoption, a vision that has generated constant vigilance by social organizations regarding the direction that inclusion and human rights policies will take during his term.
With this move, Colombia separates itself from a strategic platform where it led international efforts for the protection of diversity, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy regarding global commitments on equality.
