Elected Colombian President Plans to Open Embassy for His Country in Occupied Jerusalem

Elected Colombian President Abigail de la Espriella intends to open an embassy in Jerusalem as part of efforts to strengthen ties with Israel, his office announced on Thursday.

The hardline right-wing president won the second round of last month’s presidential election by a margin of less than one percentage point, pledging to toughen measures against the numerous armed groups in Colombia by forming a military alliance with the United States and Israel, among other steps.

In 2024, left-wing President Gustavo Petro severed ties with Israel, one of Colombia’s key security partners, following its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

De la Espriella, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, will assume office in August and has pledged to restore relations with Israel.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem its capital, despite this not being recognized by the international community. Most countries maintain their diplomatic missions with Israel in Tel Aviv.

The United States moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018 during Trump’s first presidential term.

Colombia also intends to withdraw its support for the case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Colombia’s incoming Foreign Minister, Omar Bula, met his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, in Washington on Wednesday, where they agreed on a roadmap to restore relations and eliminate visa requirements for travelers.

The statement said, “The historic relationship severed unilaterally by the Petro administration will be strengthened once again.”

Bula expressed his intention to open a diplomatic mission in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank at some point, reviving a long-stalled project.