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Cuba

Establishment of diplomatic relations

Colombia and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1902, which were broken off for the first time on 9 December 1961 and fully reestablished on 6 March 1975. Almost six years later, on 23 March 1981, relations were broken off again, until 19 July 1991, when they were reestablished at the consular level. On 20 November 1993, the two countries decided to raise their relations to the diplomatic level.

The Embassy of Colombia is located in Havana.

Bilateral relations with Colombia

From the Colombian perspective, Cuba is a country of paramount importance within the regional context, as well as for the entire sub-continent, as a result, not only of its predominant role in the Caribbean region, in which it is a natural leader, but also of the political role it has played historically in the hemisphere during more than 5 decades of Revolution. Despite the fact that history reflects that relations between Colombia and Cuba were broken off two times, the current bilateral relationship with that country is kept active thanks to cooperation agreements, in particular those related to education and culture. In addition, we cannot disregard the political role played by the Government of Cuba during recent and not-so-recent situations in Colombia, in particular, with regard to relations with left-wing groups.

Recent meetings between dignitaries 

The Eighth meeting of the Mechanism of Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs between Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs Monica Lanzetta Mutis (Colombia) and Rogelio Sierra Diaz (Cuba) took place in Havana on June 24 2011. Both countries have shown great interest in strengthening binational dialogue and boosting specific areas of the relationship such as tourism, aviation, science and technology. From the day of the inauguration of President Santos, directly, through its Embassy in Havana and through other available bilateral mechanisms, Colombia has reiterated its willingness to promote a renewal in the dynamics of binational political dialogue and to boost additional dynamic and fundamental issues, such as trade and cooperation. 

Agreements currently in force

  • Agreement on economic and scientific-technical cooperation between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Cuba, signed at Havana on 30 September 1980. Enacted through Law 30/1981.
  • Exchange of Notes constituting an agreement between Colombia and Cuba on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. Colombian Note No. D/AD/DA dated 27 October 1994 and Cuban Note, unnumbered, dated 04 November 1994.  Entered into force on the date of the latter Note. 
  • Extradition Treaty between Colombia and Cuba, signed at Havana on 2 July 1932. Ratification Instruments exchanged at Havana on 15 October 1936, and entered into force on the same date.
  • Memorandum of Understanding on judicial cooperation, signed at Havana on 20 December 1991. Entered into force as of the day of signing.
  • Agreement on cooperation in education and culture between Colombia and Cuba, signed at Havana on 7 July 1978. Entered into force on 4 May 1994, the date of exchange of ratifications.
  • Cooperation agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Republic of Cuba for the prevention, control and repression of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and related crimes, signed at Havana on 14 January 1999. Entered into force on 19 February 2003.
  • Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Republic of Cuba on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, signed at Havana on 13 March 1998. Entered into force on 3 November 2001.
  • Cooperation agreement on tourism between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Republic of Cuba, signed at Havana on 21 October 1995. Entered into force on 2 April 2001.
  • Exchange of Notes constituting and agreement for the creation of the Cuba - Colombia Mechanism of Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Colombian Note of 23 June 1997 and Cuban Note, unnumbered, dated 8 July 1998.
  • Partial Scope Agreement between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Cuba, signed at Havana on 8 July 1994.
  • Economic Complementation Agreement No. 49 between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Cuba – First additional protocol. Signed at Montevideo on 15 September 2002.  Formalized at the time of signing.