President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has announced plans to close at least 15 Colombian embassies around the world, including the country's embassy in Azerbaijan, as part of a government cost-cutting initiative.

Axar.az reports, citing Repоrt, that according to Colombian media, de la Espriella made the announcement during a televised address, saying the closures will begin after he takes office.

The embassies slated for closure are located in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa.

De la Espriella also confirmed that his administration will suspend the process of opening a Colombian embassy in Palestine.

The president-elect won Colombia's presidential election in June and is scheduled to be officially sworn into office on August 7.