Israeli Foreign Minister Meets Colombia's Incoming President Ahead of Inauguration

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met with Colombia's newly elected President, Abelardo de la Espriella, in Barranquilla a day before the president's official inauguration. The nearly three-hour meeting, held at the presidential office, focused on strengthening bilateral relations across political, security, and economic sectors. Sa'ar expressed gratitude for Colombia's decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, calling it "a cornerstone in the walls of Jerusalem." This was their second meeting, following a prior encounter in Buenos Aires in November of the previous year.

Sa'ar represented Israel at the inauguration ceremony held in Cali, Colombia. The renewed diplomatic engagement follows a hiatus of over two years caused by tensions during the Gaza conflict under outgoing President Gustavo Petro. Recently, Sa'ar also met Colombia's incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar in Washington, where they agreed on restoring full diplomatic ties, appointing ambassadors promptly, lifting visa requirements, and reopening the Colombian embassy in Jerusalem.

Additional agreements include resuming Colombian coal exports to Israel, which had been halted under Petro's administration, and Colombia's withdrawal from the International Court of Justice case against Israel initiated by South Africa. These steps mark a significant thaw and reestablishment of close cooperation between Israel and Colombia.