The Colombian government said it recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, an area which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981, becoming the second country to do so other than the United States.
Israel’s Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the decision, saying in a post on X that the Colombian president has “demonstrated his leadership, his values, and his commitment to Israel and to Israel’s security.”
The announcement comes as the South American country is recovering from a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that left at least 47 dead. Several hours before the announcement, Sa’ar said Israel is “prepared to help Colombia in whatever is needed.”
The announcement comes after the Israeli foreign minister met with Colombia’s newly elected far-right President Abelardo De La Espriella, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump and widely praised by ministers in Netanyahu’s government.
The decision marks a sharp contrast to the Colombian president’s predecessor, Gustavo Petro, who in 2024 severed diplomatic ties with Israel, accusing the country of committing genocide in Gaza, an accusation Israel has denied. De la Espriella has vowed to restore diplomatic relations with Israel.
Following de la Espriella’s narrow victory in June, Sa’ar congratulated him in Spanish on X for an “impressive victory,” expressing hope that his election would help revitalize relations between the two countries. Sa’ar also invited de la Espriella to visit Israel and said he looked forward to welcoming him in Jerusalem “very soon.”