Colombia seeks deeper ties after embassy reopens

Colombia has pledged to forge stronger diplomatic, cultural and educational links with Barbados through its reopened embassy here, setting out a series of initiatives this year to boost cooperation and people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Meeting with journalists on Thursday, Colombian envoy Elizabeth Inés Taylor Jay said the re-establishment of the resident mission formed part of a wider strategy by the Colombian government to re-engage the Caribbean and build stronger partnerships in the region.

“Colombia, after more than two decades, established our embassy here again in Barbados, and this is a government strategy to make sure that we can look at the Caribbean as our historical partner,” she said.

Ambassador  Elizabeth Inés Taylor Jay (centre) is joined by members of the Colombian Embassy team and media representatives from across Barbados .(GP)

Ambassador Taylor Jay noted that Colombia and the Caribbean share strong cultural and historical ties and said the embassy’s presence in Bridgetown reflects the country’s intention to maintain a lasting relationship with Barbados.

“We share so much of our roots and culture,” she said, adding that she was proud to serve in Barbados, particularly as someone who hails from Colombia’s Caribbean coastal region.

The ambassador said the embassy is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other partners to strengthen cooperation and expand engagement between the two countries.

Colombia reopened its embassy in Bridgetown last year, the first since the diplomatic mission closed in 2002. At the time, then foreign minister Kerrie Symmonds said Barbados was keen to deepen its South-South relations with Latin American countries and identified Colombia as a key partner for expanding trade, cooperation and regional integration.

As part of its renewed diplomatic presence, the embassy has planned several cultural and educational activities for the year.

Embassy representative Natalia Ramírez outlined a series of events scheduled for the first half of 2026 designed to highlight Colombian culture while strengthening exchanges between the two countries.

The programme will begin with workshops led by two Colombian women who practise traditional healing techniques, with sessions expected to focus on sharing cultural knowledge with women in Barbados.

Another initiative will spotlight Colombia’s renowned coffee and cocoa industries. The event will bring together experts from Colombia, including specialists in cocoa production, a coffee expert, as well as a chef and a singer, to showcase the cultural significance of the products.

“We want to show all our culture around coffee and cocoa,” Ramírez said.

In May, the embassy will also host a photography workshop led by a Pulitzer prize-winning Colombian photographer. The programme will involve young people and members of the diplomatic community, with participants capturing images that portray Barbados through their own perspectives.

“The idea is to show Barbados through the eyes of diplomats and youth,” Ramírez said.

A youth cultural exchange is also scheduled for July, when five teenagers from the Colombian town of Tolúviejo will visit Barbados for a week-long programme focused on learning about the island’s history and culture while interacting with Barbadian youth.

The embassy will also continue its Spanish-language training programme for Barbadian civil servants. The initiative began last year and is expected to expand as part of efforts to strengthen communication and cooperation between the two countries.