Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country with a mission in the city. The move follows President Abelardo de la Espriella's restoration of diplomatic ties severed by his predecessor.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in relations with Israel after conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella restored diplomatic ties severed by his predecessor over the war in Gaza. The inauguration took place on October 14, 2026, with Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in attendance.
The opening of the embassy follows a period of strained relations under former President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024. Petro, an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, had also closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled its ambassador. Israel condemned the break at the time, describing it as antisemitic.
De la Espriella, who took office in August, moved quickly to reverse these policies. In July, he announced plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem, stating that Colombia and Israel would have a relationship “like never before.” On Tuesday, the two countries also reinstated a free trade agreement that Petro had terminated.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry hailed the opening as a “diplomatic milestone.” Foreign Minister Bula Escobar emphasized the strategic nature of the renewed partnership. “Today, we are taking a concrete step toward restoring diplomatic relations between us —relations that should never have been severed. Israel is a strategic partner—it always has been, and from now on, it will be even more so,” Escobar said, according to an Israeli Foreign Ministry readout.
Colombia’s mission is the 10th embassy to open in Jerusalem. Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar noted that the number of embassies in the capital has doubled since he took office less than two years ago. “This is the beginning of a golden age in relations between our two countries,” Sa’ar said. He described the opening as “a recognition of the simple political fact that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.”
The status of Jerusalem remains a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state. Most governments have continued to keep their missions in Tel Aviv, wary of prejudging the outcome of negotiations over Jerusalem’s final status. The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, and a limited number of countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea, have followed.
Colombian Ambassador Tania Gilinski, who assumed the position after three years without a Colombian ambassador in Israel, stated that relations would continue with “even greater determination and strength.” She noted that Colombian businesspeople had continued working with Israeli partners despite the diplomatic rift.
Sa’ar indicated that more countries may follow Colombia’s lead. “The 11th embassy, that of Congo, is on its way, and there will be more,” Sa’ar said. He also mentioned that he knew which country would be the 12th but declined to reveal it.
The opening of the Colombian embassy in Jerusalem signals a broader realignment in Latin American foreign policy toward Israel. It represents a sharp reversal from the Petro administration’s stance and aligns Colombia more closely with the United States and other nations that recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The move also includes the restoration of economic ties, highlighting the interconnected nature of diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
Protesters set fire to Albania's Education Ministry in Tirana as student demonstrations entered their third day. Police arrested 16 people and used tear gas to disperse crowds demanding better university conditions and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
WorldTrending
The US Treasury removed Jorge Rodríguez from its sanctions list on Wednesday, allowing him to access the US financial system. The OFAC did not explain the reasons for the removal.
