Colombia to open embassy in Jerusalem, incoming FM says

Colombia will open an embassy in Jerusalem and restore full diplomatic relations with Israel after the country's new government takes office, according to Israel's Foreign Ministry.

The announcement followed a meeting in Washington between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombia's incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

Israel said the two sides agreed to restore full diplomatic ties, reappoint ambassadors and remove visa requirements. Colombia is also set to become the ninth country to establish its embassy in Jerusalem, a move that would reverse the policy of outgoing President Gustavo Petro's administration.

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who is due to take office in August, had pledged during his election campaign to rebuild relations with Israel after ties deteriorated under Petro. He promised to reopen diplomatic cooperation, establish an embassy in Jerusalem and renew what he described as a strategic alliance with Israel.

Relations between the two countries sharply declined after Petro, a vocal critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, accused Israel of committing genocide — an allegation Israel strongly rejects. Colombia severed diplomatic relations in 2024 and suspended defence purchases from Israel, prompting Israel not to replace its outgoing ambassador to Bogotá.

If implemented, the embassy move would make Colombia the ninth country to locate its embassy in Jerusalem, joining the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Fiji and Somaliland.

De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer who has never previously held elected office, campaigned on closer ties with the United States and Israel. He has also said he would seek Israeli and US support in tackling Colombia's armed groups.

However, analysts have questioned whether he will be able to deliver on his ambitious agenda. He inherits a politically divided country, with left-wing parties that secured nearly half the vote in the presidential election expected to oppose several of his policies, including the restoration of relations with Israel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev