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Posted On: October 15th 2026, 05:53 pm
Colombia has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, completing a dramatic reversal of the policy pursued by former President Gustavo Petro.
Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024 over the war in Gaza, closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and halted coal exports to Israel.
Under new President Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia has now restored diplomatic relations, reinstated its free-trade agreement with Israel and opened a new embassy in Jerusalem.
The embassy opened on October 14, making Colombia the 10th government with an embassy in Jerusalem.
The location is highly sensitive. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Most countries continue to maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv while saying Jerusalem’s final status should be resolved through negotiations.
Palestinian officials condemned Colombia’s decision. Jordan also condemned the embassy opening and said it violated international law and relevant international resolutions.
Colombia and Israel also have longstanding security ties. Colombia’s new ambassador has been tasked with expanding cooperation in trade, security, intelligence, cybersecurity and information sharing.
Sources:
• Reuters — October 14, 2026: Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem and restores free-trade agreement
• Associated Press — October 14, 2026: Colombia restores diplomatic and security ties with Israel
• Jordan News Agency / Jordanian Foreign Ministry — October 14, 2026: Jordan condemns embassy opening
#Colombia #Israel #Jerusalem #Palestine #Gaza #LatinAmerica #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #ForeignPolicy #Geopolitics #PlacesThatMatter
Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024 over the war in Gaza, closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and halted coal exports to Israel.
Under new President Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia has now restored diplomatic relations, reinstated its free-trade agreement with Israel and opened a new embassy in Jerusalem.
The embassy opened on October 14, making Colombia the 10th government with an embassy in Jerusalem.
The location is highly sensitive. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Most countries continue to maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv while saying Jerusalem’s final status should be resolved through negotiations.
Palestinian officials condemned Colombia’s decision. Jordan also condemned the embassy opening and said it violated international law and relevant international resolutions.
Colombia and Israel also have longstanding security ties. Colombia’s new ambassador has been tasked with expanding cooperation in trade, security, intelligence, cybersecurity and information sharing.
Sources:
• Reuters — October 14, 2026: Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem and restores free-trade agreement
• Associated Press — October 14, 2026: Colombia restores diplomatic and security ties with Israel
• Jordan News Agency / Jordanian Foreign Ministry — October 14, 2026: Jordan condemns embassy opening
#Colombia #Israel #Jerusalem #Palestine #Gaza #LatinAmerica #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #ForeignPolicy #Geopolitics #PlacesThatMatter
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