Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to establish a diplomatic mission in the city. The move marks a significant shift in Colombia’s foreign policy under President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August and has reversed decisions made by his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.
Petro, who served as president until July 2024, had severed diplomatic ties with Israel earlier this year amid heightened tensions related to Israeli military actions in Gaza. In May 2024, Petro closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled the country’s ambassador, actions that drew strong condemnation from Israel. Israeli officials characterized Petro’s measures as antisemitic and accused his administration of rewarding Hamas terrorists.
Since assuming office, de la Espriella has restored diplomatic relations and taken steps to strengthen bilateral ties. On Tuesday, Colombia reinstated a free trade agreement with Israel that had been terminated under Petro’s administration. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised the new government’s approach, noting that most negative consequences of the previous administration’s policies had been reversed within two months and that relations had reached unprecedented levels.
The embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem was attended by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar. Colombia joins a small but growing group of countries that have moved their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, following the United States’ relocation in 2018. Other nations with embassies in Jerusalem include Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, and Somaliland.
Most countries maintain their embassies in the Tel Aviv area, reflecting the internationally contested status of Jerusalem. Colombia’s decision aligns it more closely with Israel and signals a clear diplomatic orientation under its current leadership. The change also highlights the political divide within Colombia over relations with Israel, underscored by the policies of the two recent presidents.