Colombia was the nation that kicked Spain out of South America. But ironically its one of the most Philo-Spaniard nations in the region. Many Colombians are proud of their Spanish roots and Colombian Spanish is very close to Castilian. That’s why its not a shock to me seeing Colombia come out and condemn Argentina’s nationalization of a Spanish oil company. Colombia has lobbed a protest with the WTO.

Colombia’s Trade Minister lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding Argentina’s expropriation of a Spanish multinational company, Colombian media reported Wednesday.

Sergio Diaz-Granados said “We do not expropriate,” referring to the decision of Cristina Fernandez, the Argentine president, to take the Spanish multinational oil company YPF into Argentinian ownership.

[….]

He also invited Spanish investors to look at the labor market and potential which many Colombian cities offer.

Clearly Colombia is playing the role of a regional power. They are defending the interest of their motherland and as someone with ties to both Colombia and Spain, I salute them.