World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem and restores trade deal with Israel
Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the tenth country to do so.
The opening was attended by Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
The move follows the election of new President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has sought closer ties with Israel.
His predecessor, Gustavo Petro, severed diplomatic relations in May 2024 over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Colombia also reinstated a free trade agreement with Israel on Tuesday after Petro’s government had ended it.
Jerusalem’s status is disputed: Israel considers the whole city its capital, while Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the embassy opening, saying it violated international law and Palestinian rights.
The two foreign ministers were due to hold bilateral talks on Wednesday, as the countries work to restore diplomatic relations.
Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, becoming the tenth country to do so.
The move came under new President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has sought to strengthen ties with Israel.
Colombia also reinstated a free trade agreement with Israel on Tuesday.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the embassy opening, saying it violated international law and Palestinians’ rights.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the move, while Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar called Israel a strategic partner.
- Who
- Colombia opened the embassy. Foreign Ministers Omar Bula Escobar and Gideon Sa’ar attended.
- What
- Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem and reinstated its free trade agreement with Israel.
- When
- The embassy opened on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The trade agreement was reinstated on Tuesday.
- Where
- Jerusalem; Middle East Eye specifies West Jerusalem.
- Why
- President Abelardo de la Espriella’s government is restoring and strengthening relations with Israel.
Colombian government and Israel
Palestinian foreign ministry
Embassy opening
Colombian government and Israel
Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem as a step toward stronger relations with Israel.
Palestinian foreign ministry
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the opening in what it called the occupied city of Jerusalem.
Legal and political status
Colombian government and Israel
Sa’ar said the move recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Palestinian foreign ministry
The Palestinian foreign ministry said measures changing Jerusalem’s legal and historical status were null and void and violated international law and Palestinian rights.
Gustavo Petro’s government severed diplomatic relations with Israel.
Abelardo de la Espriella became president of Colombia.
Colombia reinstated its free trade agreement with Israel.
Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem.
- Embassy opening
- Jerusalem; October 14, 2026
- Colombia’s president
- Abelardo de la Espriella
- Colombian foreign minister
- Omar Bula Escobar
- Israeli foreign minister
- Gideon Sa’ar
- Countries with embassies in Jerusalem
- Colombia became the tenth
- Free trade agreement
- Reinstated on October 13, 2026
4 sources
What people are saying
In just two months, we have reversed most of the negative consequences of the Petro administration for Israel-Colombia relations and have even broken new ground... I thank... Abelardo de la Espriella for his determination to bring Israel-Colombia relations to an all-time high.
This is the beginning of a golden age in relations between our two countries,
Today, we are taking a concrete step toward restoring diplomatic relations between us — relations that should never have been severed. Israel is a strategic partner — it always has been, and from now on, it will be even more so,
a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and an attack on the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people.