Israel and Colombia will mutually exempt each other from visa requirements for travel, effective September 1, the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday. This milestone agreement aims to facilitate seamless travel and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The visa exemption agreement follows high-level diplomatic talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva Escobar, who are working to solidify bilateral relations.
With the election of Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, the two nations have restored diplomatic ties that were severed two years ago under the previous administration of President Gustavo Petro.
Colombia is a highly popular destination for Israeli tourists, with tens of thousands of visitors traveling to the South American nation each year.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar traveled to Colombia for President Espriella’s inaugural ceremony, where he discussed concrete opportunities to deepen cooperation across various sectors, aiming to translate the renewed diplomatic relationship into a tangible partnership.
On August 10, just three days after the presidential inauguration, the Colombian government announced its recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, becoming only the second country, after the United States, to officially make this declaration.
This decision prompted immediate criticism from several Arab nations, including Damascus, Riyadh, and Doha, which strongly objected to the move. However, Colombia’s Foreign Ministry defended the decision, citing the ongoing regional instability in the Middle East as a critical factor.
In addition, the new Colombian administration has announced plans to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, further solidifying the deepening bond between the two countries.
In a show of solidarity, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dispatched a humanitarian delegation known as the “Alliance of Brothers” to assist in search and rescue operations following a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia last week.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella expressed gratitude to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel’s vital support during “these very difficult times.”
Ariella Roitman and Eli Leon contributed to this report.
Also Read
- North Korea Test Fires Missiles As Kim Jong Un’s Sister Says She’s ‘Unaware’ Of Any Talks With Trump
- Syrian Foreign Minister Denies Plans for Turkish Military Deployment at Abu al‑Duhur Airbase
- Alibaba Profits Plunge 75% as Heavy AI Infrastructure Investment Takes Toll
- Russia’s Low‑Cost Banderol Munitions Challenge Ukraine’s Air Defenses
