Colombia withdraws from Equal Rights Coalition

Colombia has announced its immediate withdrawal from the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an international alliance dedicated to promoting and protecting LGBTIQ+ rights. This decision also ends Colombia’s term as co-president of the coalition alongside Spain for the 2025-2027 period. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the move follows a review of foreign policy priorities, noting that participation in the coalition is no longer a primary focus. The Ministry clarified that this withdrawal does not mean the removal of recognized LGBTIQ+ rights within the country.

The decision has drawn criticism from civil society organizations, including Caribe Afirmativo, which expressed disagreement with the early departure from the coalition and requested further explanation.

In a separate diplomatic context at the United Nations General Assembly, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, addressed the UN LGBTIQ+ Group regarding issues of equality and non-discrimination. His participation drew social media scrutiny and criticism from figures such as historian Enrique Krauze, following a perceived disconnect between his human rights discourse and subsequent security-related comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Mexico.