Colombia–Spain relations

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Colombia–Spain relations
Map indicating locations of Colombia and Spain

Colombia
Spain

Colombian-Spain relations are the bilateral relations between the

Republic of Colombia, formally established in 1881, several decades after Colombia's independence from the Spanish Empire. Both nations are members of the Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations
.

History

Colonial times

The territory that became Colombia was first visited by

Europeans when the first expedition of Alonso de Ojeda arrived at the Cabo de la Vela in 1499. The Spanish made several attempts to settle along the north coast of today's Colombia in the early 16th century, but their first permanent settlement, at Santa Marta, was not established until 1525. Cartagena was founded on June 1, 1533, by Spanish commander Pedro de Heredia, and grew rapidly, fueled first by the gold in the tombs of the Sinú
culture, and later by trade.

The Spanish advance from inland from the Caribbean coast began independently from three different directions, under

Muisca territory, where they finally met.[1] In August 1538 Quesáda founded Santa Fe de Bogotá
on the site of Muisca village of Bacatá.

In 1549, the Spanish Royal

Audiencia made Bogotá the capital of New Granada, which comprised in large part what is now territory of Colombia. In 1717, the Viceroyalty of New Granada was originally created, with Santa Fé de Bogotá as its capital. This Viceroyalty included some other provinces of northwestern South America which had previously been under the jurisdiction of the Viceroyalties of New Spain or Peru and correspond mainly to today's Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. Bogotá thus became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World
.

Independence

Main article:
Colombian Declaration of Independence
The battle of Boyacá was the decisive battle which would ensure the success of the liberation campaign of New Granada.

A movement initiated by

Juan de Samano, whose regime punished those who participated in the uprisings. Renewed rebellion, combined with a weakened Spain, made possible a successful rebellion led by the Venezuelan-born Simón Bolívar
, who finally proclaimed independence in 1819. The pro-Spanish resistance was finally defeated in 1822 in the present territory of Colombia and in 1823 in Venezuela.

The territory of the Viceroyalty of New Granada became the Republic of Colombia organized as a union of Ecuador, Colombia (including modern-day Panama) and Venezuela. The Congress of Cúcuta in 1821 adopted a constitution for the new Republic, and Simón Bolívar became the first President of Colombia. However, the new republic was unstable and ended with the rupture of Venezuela in 1829 and Ecuador in 1830.

Post-independence

Colombia and Spain officially established diplomatic relations in 1881 when representatives of both nations signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Paris.[2] During the years, relations between the two nations decreased as Spain lost its importance in the region, especially after its defeat in the Spanish–American War and Spain's influence in the region diminished.[2]

During the Spanish Civil War, many in Colombia supported the Nationalist faction led by General Francisco Franco against the Republican faction.[3] During this time, some Spaniards immigrated to Colombia to flee the war. However, they were not large in number relative to the Spanish immigration to Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay during the same period. After the war, Colombia maintained diplomatic relations with the Spanish government under General Franco.[3]

In October 1976, Spanish King

Juan Carlos I paid an official visit to Colombia, his first as King of Spain.[4]
Since then, the Spanish royal family has paid several visits to Colombia and several Colombian presidents have paid official visits to Spain.

Over the years, both nations have signed agreements and treaties on judicial cooperation, dual nationality, extradition, social security, guarantee of intellectual property, promotion and protection of investments, tourisim, avoidance of double taxation and agreement for resident citizens of both nations to vote in local municipal elections.[5]

Transportation

There are direct flights between both nations with Air Europa, Avianca and Iberia.

Trade

In 2019, total trade between Colombia and Spain totaled €1.4 billion Euros.[6] Colombia's main exports to Spain include: fish, fruits and vegetables, coffee, sugar, cacao, oil, iron and minerals. Spain's main exports to Colombia include: machinery, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products and organic chemicals. Spanish multinational companies such as Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Banco Santander, Mapfre, Telefónica and Zara operate in Colombia. In 2011, Colombia signed a free trade agreement with the European Union (which includes Spain).[7]

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Embassy of Colombia in Madrid
    Embassy of Colombia in Madrid
  • Consulate-General of Colombia in Madrid
    Consulate-General of Colombia in Madrid
  • Consulate-General of Colombia in Barcelona
    Consulate-General of Colombia in Barcelona
  • Consulate-General of Colombia in Seville
    Consulate-General of Colombia in Seville
  • Consulate-General of Colombia in Valencia
    Consulate-General of Colombia in Valencia
  • Embassy of Spain in Bogota
    Embassy of Spain in Bogota

See also

References

  1. ^ Lonely Planet, "History of Colombia", http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/history. Accessed 6 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Las relaciones bilaterales Colombia-España (in Spanish)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  3. ^ a b Trazos y trozos sobre el uso y abuso de la Guerra Civil Española en Colombia (in Spanish)
  4. ^ Los Reyes de España viajan hoy a Colombia (in Spanish)
  5. ^ Instrumentos y Acuerdos suscritos entre Colombia y España (in Spanish)
  6. ^ MAEC: Colombia (in Spanish)
  7. ^ EU signs trade deals with Peru and Colombia
  8. ^ Embassy of Colombia in Madrid (in Spanish)
  9. ^ Consulate-General of Colombia in Barcelona (in Spanish)
  10. ^ Consulate-General of Colombia in Bilbao (in Spanish)
  11. ^ Consulate-General of Colombia in Las Palmas (in Spanish)
  12. ^ Consulate-General of Colombia in Palma (in Spanish)
  13. ^ Consulate-General of Colombia in Seville (in Spanish)
  14. ^ Consulate-General of Colombia in Valencia (in Spanish)
  15. ^ "Embassy of Spain in Bogotá (in Spanish)". Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
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