Colombia–South Africa relations
Colombia–South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between Colombia and South Africa. Both nations are members of the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement. In addition, Colombia has been an observer of the African Union since 2008.[3] HistoryThe two countries established diplomatic relations on 12 April 1994, when apartheid ended, during which the South African government was isolated by the international community.[4] Colombia has maintained an embassy in Pretoria since 1995. The Embassy of South Africa in Venezuela is accredited to Colombia.[3] Between 12 and 13 May 2023, the vice president of Colombia, Francia Elena Márquez Mina, made an official visit to South Africa,[5] where eight instruments of bilateral relations were conducted in various fields of education, technical and financial cooperation for development, and trade relations, which, together with previous agreements, define the path to strengthening bilateral relations, within the framework of the pillars of South-South cooperation and solidarity (SSC) relations that the two countries assume.[3] On 8 November 2023, Ambassador Lindiwe Maseko presented her diploma to the Colombian president Gustavo Petro, where a ceremony was held at the Nariño Palace. Consecutively, María del Rosario Mina Rojas presented her diploma as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, on 3 October 2023.[3] Economic relationsAccording to data from the Colombian Ministry in 2019, Colombia exports to South Africa the equivalent of 28 billion US dollars, with the main exports being coal and products related to light industry and agriculture; while South Africa exports to Colombia the equivalent of 26 billion dollars, with the main exports being those related to metallurgy, basic chemicals and machinery.[6] Diplomatic representation
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