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Colombia will open an embassy in Jerusalem, fulfilling a key campaign promise made by President-elect de la Espriella.
By United with Israel Staff
Colombia will fully restore diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, reopen embassies in both countries and move its embassy to Jerusalem after President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella takes office on August 7, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Wednesday.
Sa’ar revealed the breakthrough following a meeting in Washington with Omar Bula, Colombia’s incoming foreign minister. The two officials agreed on a detailed roadmap for the immediate restoration of bilateral relations following the inauguration of the new Colombian government.
Under the agreement, Israel and Colombia will immediately appoint ambassadors after diplomatic relations were severed in June 2024 under outgoing President Gustavo Petro.
Colombia will also open an embassy in Jerusalem, fulfilling a key campaign promise made by President-elect de la Espriella. Sa’ar said Israel’s Foreign Ministry would provide all necessary assistance to facilitate the move.
The two sides also agreed to eliminate visa requirements between the countries and expand economic, political and technological cooperation.
“Colombia was one of Israel’s greatest friends, and this friendship will soon be stronger than ever,” Sa’ar said. “We will work together to strengthen this alliance.”
The announcement marks a dramatic turnaround in relations after two years of diplomatic tensions under Petro, whose government cut ties with Israel during the Gaza war, opened an embassy in Ramallah and became one of Israel’s most outspoken critics in Latin America.
The shift follows de la Espriella’s victory in last month’s presidential election, ending four years of left-wing rule in Colombia. Throughout his campaign, the conservative leader pledged to rebuild relations with both Israel and the United States, describing the diplomatic rupture as damaging to Colombia’s national interests.
Following his election victory, Sa’ar congratulated the president-elect, writing, “The Tiger won, Colombia won,” and said he looked forward to bringing bilateral ties “to the highest level in their history.”
The restoration of diplomatic relations is expected to revive cooperation across a wide range of fields, including trade, technology, agriculture, innovation and security, areas in which Israel and Colombia maintained close ties before relations deteriorated under the previous government.
The agreement also makes Colombia one of a growing number of countries maintaining or planning to establish embassies in Jerusalem, further strengthening Israel’s diplomatic standing in Latin America.
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