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Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said de la Espriella is “a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
By United with Israel Staff
Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella pledged to restore and strengthen ties with Israel “like never before,” signaling a dramatic reversal of the anti-Israel policies pursued by outgoing President Gustavo Petro.
De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and political newcomer known as “El Tigre” (“The Tiger”), made the commitment after speaking by phone with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, days after narrowly winning Colombia’s presidential runoff.
“Colombia will restore and strengthen its relationship with the State of Israel like never before,” de la Espriella wrote on social media following the call. “Israel can count on Colombia as a loyal friend and steadfast ally. May God bless our two nations.”
Sa’ar said he congratulated the president-elect on “his important election victory, a victory that creates hope and the possibility of a better future for Colombia and its citizens.”
The Israeli foreign minister described de la Espriella as “a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel” and said the two leaders discussed building a closer partnership.
“During our conversation, the president-elect reiterated his commitment, which he also expressed during his election campaign, to an alliance between Israel and Colombia that will be stronger than ever,” Sa’ar wrote.
“I also emphasized our strong desire to strengthen this alliance for the benefit of both our peoples. We will do this together, Colombia and Israel, and in a big way.”
De la Espriella campaigned on rebuilding relations with both Israel and the United States while pursuing a tougher approach to organized crime, drug cartels, and armed groups. He also pledged during the campaign to relocate Colombia’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
The election marks a significant political shift after four years under Petro, whose government severed diplomatic relations with Israel, backed South Africa’s genocide case against the Jewish state at the International Court of Justice, and opened a Colombian embassy in Ramallah.
De la Espriella defeated left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda by less than one percentage point, returning Colombia to conservative leadership after its first left-wing presidency.
Trump publicly backed de la Espriella during the campaign and congratulated him after the election, saying he had “won big.”
For Israel, the result represents a major diplomatic victory, opening the door to renewed cooperation with one of its longtime allies in Latin America after two years of steadily deteriorating relations under Petro.
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