Colombia Withdraws from International LGBT Rights Coalition
The Colombian government has announced the country’s withdrawal from the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an intergovernmental organization comprising 43 states advocating for the protection of LGBTQ rights. The decision took effect immediately on September 17, 2026, abruptly ending Colombia’s co-chairmanship of the coalition, which it shared with Spain for the 2025–2027 term.
According to a statement from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision followed an analysis concluding that participation in this mechanism “was not a priority.” Pedro Agustín Roa, Vice Minister for Consular and Migration Affairs, noted that leaving the coalition does not in any way signify an abandonment of the government’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ rights domestically. He stated that Colombia has a robust legal framework, including constitutional guarantees and rulings by the Constitutional Court. However, according to sources cited by El País , during a meeting with coalition representatives, Roa explained the move by stating that joining the alliance was an initiative of the previous government of Gustavo Petro, whereas it is not a priority for the new administration of Abelardo de la Espriella.
The Colombian human rights organization Caribe Afirmativo, which represented civil society on behalf of Colombia in the coalition’s co-chairmanship, criticized the move. The organization’s director, Wilson Castañeda, stated that the decision was made unilaterally by the ministry without consulting human rights defenders, and demanded that the authorities publicly explain their motives.
The Equal Rights Coalition was established in 2016 and brings together states and civil society organizations to coordinate international efforts to protect LGBT rights. Colombia officially joined as a member state in late 2024.
Previously, Caribe Afirmativo reported that the number of murders of LGBT people in Colombia increased by 63% in 2025, reaching 270 cases. The organization also pointed out the inefficiency of state structures in combating hate-based violence.
