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Colombia and Israel are moving to restore diplomatic relations, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visiting Bogotá for the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella and meeting senior officials of the new government, the Jerusalem Post reported. The August 7 meetings followed weeks of diplomatic groundwork to reverse the policy of former President Gustavo Petro, who severed ties with Israel in 2024.

Sa’ar arrived in Colombia for the inaugural ceremony and met with Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, and other senior ministers from the newly appointed cabinet, including the ministers of defense, finance, justice, trade and industry, and environment, according to the report.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post’s reporting on the rapprochement has come in two stages. A report published ahead of the inauguration detailed the incoming administration’s intention to dismantle major elements of Petro’s Israel policy and outlined specific steps, including restoring full diplomatic and economic relations and pursuing a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. A second report, published on the day of the inauguration, described the high-level meetings in Bogotá and the expression of strong support for Israel from senior Colombian officials.

Both reports emphasize the scale of the policy reversal, contrasting Petro’s severing of ties with the new government’s stated interest in close cooperation, particularly in security and technology.

Key Claims

  • Incoming President Abelardo de la Espriella plans to reverse nearly every major element of Gustavo Petro’s Israel policy after taking office on August 7, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • The new government plans to restore full diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, exchange ambassadors, lift visa requirements, and pursue a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem, the report said.
  • Colombia will withdraw its intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Security cooperation is expected to expand, with Israel providing Colombia access to military equipment, drones, and artificial intelligence; incoming government officials have also expressed interest in technology from the United States, the report said.
  • Former President Gustavo Petro severed ties with Israel in 2024 after accusing Israel of “genocide” during its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • During his tenure, Petro linked Israel to “Nazi” tactics in Latin America, restricted previously robust defense partnerships, and imposed a complete ban on Colombian coal exports to Israel, the report said.

Perspectives

The incoming Colombian government, led by President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, views renewed ties with Israel as a strategic and ideological shift away from Petro’s policies. Vice President José Manuel Restrepo emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation, telling Sa’ar, “You designated 2026 as a year for expanding its ties with Latin America.”

The Israeli government, through Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, welcomed the change. Sa’ar thanked his hosts for their warm welcome and friendship, saying, “Not only will we rebuild our ties, but we will take them to new heights.”

The former administration of Gustavo Petro had justified severing relations with Israel based on accusations of genocide during the Gaza conflict, tying its stance to broader criticism of Israel’s military campaign and its leaders’ language. That perspective contrasts sharply with the incoming government’s plan to restore ambassadors, security cooperation, and trade relations.