Colombia’s president‑elect, a conservative coalition leader, announced plans to relocate the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem, aiming to restore and deepen diplomatic relations with Israel, his office said Thursday.
Abelardo de la Espriella secured a razor‑thin victory in last month’s runoff election and has pledged to intensify efforts against Colombia’s numerous armed groups, partly through a strengthened military partnership with the United States and Israel.
During 2024, leftist President Gustavo Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel, a key security partner of Colombia, citing Israel’s offensive operations in the Gaza Strip.
Backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, de la Espriella will assume office on August 7 and has pledged to restore diplomatic ties with Israel.
His office confirmed Thursday that the incoming administration is moving forward with the opening of the Colombian Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel’s claimed capital.
Israel considers Jerusalem, including the occupied eastern sector, as its capital, a status not recognized by the majority of the international community, with most nations maintaining their diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv.
The United States transferred its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018 during President Trump’s first term.
Colombia is also expected to withdraw its support for South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bula met with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Washington on Wednesday, where they agreed on a roadmap to restore diplomatic relations and eliminate travel visas.
The statement declared that “the historic relationship that the Petro administration unilaterally severed will be strengthened once again.”
President Petro had supported the ICJ case and simultaneously halted coal exports to Israel and suspended arms imports from the country.
He previously indicated an intention to open a diplomatic mission in Ramallah on the occupied West Bank, but that initiative never came to fruition.
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