Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, marking a dramatic shift in foreign policy and fully restoring diplomatic relations with Israel following a leadership change in Bogotá. The South American nation became the 10th country to establish a diplomatic mission in the Israeli capital.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday, bringing together senior officials from both nations. Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar attended the event alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The move reverses the decision made by former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 amid the military campaign in Gaza and closed the country’s embassy in Tel Aviv.
A Dramatic Policy Reversal Under President De La Espriella
The establishment of the Colombia embassy Jerusalem mission fulfills a key campaign pledge made by conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August. Alongside the reopening of diplomatic channels, the two nations also restored their bilateral free trade agreement.
During the inauguration, Foreign Minister Bula Escobar emphasized the renewed commitment between the two governments. “Today, we are taking a concrete step toward restoring diplomatic relations between our countries—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 stated, according to an Israeli Foreign Ministry readout.
President de la Espriella also addressed the event via a video message, emphasizing the broader political and cultural significance of the decision. “We are not simply talking about a diplomatic headquarters; we are opening a new door for Colombia and Israel to be closer,” he said.
Strengthening Longstanding Security and Economic Ties
The restoration of official ties and the opening of the Jerusalem mission have been warmly welcomed by Israeli leadership. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the event as a celebration for both countries and a recognition that Jerusalem serves as Israel’s capital.
“This is the beginning of a golden age in relations between our two countries,” Sa’ar noted, adding that the total number of foreign embassies operating in Jerusalem has doubled in less than two years. Following the ceremony, the Colombian delegation also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Colombia and Israel share a long history of bilateral cooperation, having officially established diplomatic relations in 1957. The two nations have maintained particularly close security ties over the decades, with the Colombian military utilizing Israeli-manufactured rifles and fighter-bombers as part of its defense arsenal. With the formal return of diplomatic channels and the reinstatement of the free trade agreement, both governments anticipate an expansion of cooperation across economic, security, and diplomatic sectors.
