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

After two years of diplomatic estrangement, Colombia and Israel have agreed to fully restore their bilateral relations. The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting in Washington between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombia's incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar. This roadmap includes the immediate return of ambassadors, reopening of embassies, and relocating Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem. The deal is set to take effect following the inauguration of Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, on August 7, marking a dramatic shift in South American geopolitics.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply under outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic ties in May 2024, accusing Israel of "genocide" in Gaza and calling for a global boycott. Petro's administration took punitive steps including suspending arms purchases from Israel, opening an embassy in Ramallah, and canceling the 2020 free trade agreement. Israel responded by imposing visa requirements on Colombians in May 2025, prompting reciprocal visa restrictions on Israelis, which severely impacted tourism and business exchanges.

The new agreement aims to reverse these measures, restoring visa-free travel and revitalizing tourism, which had been a popular destination for Israeli backpackers and travelers. Despite the positive diplomatic turnaround, Israel's National Security Council continues to advise caution for travelers due to ongoing political unrest, high crime rates, and armed gang activity in Colombia.

Historically, Colombia was Israel's closest ally in Latin America, with extensive military cooperation including arms sales and intelligence sharing. President-elect de la Espriella, a conservative and dual Colombian-American citizen, campaigned on renewing this strategic partnership and strengthening ties with both Israel and the United States. His victory, narrowly won amid contested elections and accusations of Israeli-linked cyber interference by Petro, signals a broader rightward shift in Latin American politics.

Colombia's decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem places it among a small group of countries recognizing the city as Israel's capital, enhancing Israel's diplomatic standing. This move also aligns Colombia with the "Isaac Accords," a regional framework linking Latin America with Israel and the U.S. for strategic, technological, and economic cooperation. However, Colombia remains deeply divided politically, and the new government's ability to implement these changes amid internal opposition and social unrest remains uncertain.