Colombia and Israel Agree to Fully Restore Diplomatic Ties and Move Embassy to Jerusalem

After two years of diplomatic estrangement, Colombia and Israel have reached a detailed agreement to fully restore their bilateral relations. The accord was finalized during a high-level meeting in Washington between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombia's designated Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar. The agreement includes the immediate return of ambassadors, resumption of frozen security and trade partnerships, and the relocation of Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem. This historic shift is set to take effect following the inauguration of Colombia's newly elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, on August 7, 2026.

The diplomatic rupture began in May 2024 under outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who severed ties with Israel, accusing it of "genocide" in Gaza and calling for a global boycott. Petro's administration took punitive steps including opening an embassy in Ramallah, suspending Israeli arms purchases, banning coal exports to Israel, and unilaterally canceling the 2020 free trade agreement. The tensions escalated after the Israeli Defense Forces detained a Colombian humanitarian aid flotilla in October 2024, prompting Petro to expel Israeli consular staff and impose reciprocal visa requirements, severely impacting tourism and business exchanges.

The new roadmap aims to erase this legacy of hostility by reinstating diplomatic missions and reviving economic and security cooperation. Colombia will become the ninth country worldwide to officially open its embassy in Jerusalem, bolstering Israel's international standing. The visa waiver reinstatement is expected to rejuvenate Israeli tourism, which had sharply declined due to bureaucratic hurdles and political tensions.

Security officials in Israel caution travelers to Colombia to remain vigilant due to ongoing political unrest and high crime rates. Despite these challenges, the renewal of ties marks a major diplomatic victory for Israel and signals a broader rightward shift in Latin American politics. De la Espriella, a conservative with dual Colombian-American citizenship and ties to the U.S. Republican Party, has pledged to strengthen strategic alliances with Israel and the United States, including enhanced intelligence and military cooperation.

This rapprochement aligns with regional trends where countries like Argentina, Paraguay, and Costa Rica are deepening ties with Israel. It also complements the "Isaac Accords," a framework linking Latin America with Israel and the U.S. politically and economically. However, Colombia remains deeply divided, with significant opposition from left-wing factions threatening protests against the new government's policies and renewed Israel relations. The restoration of diplomatic relations and embassy relocation represent a significant geopolitical realignment in South America with implications for regional security and international diplomacy.