Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to do so, as new President Abelardo de la Espriella reversed his predecessor’s break with Israel by also restoring a free trade agreement between the two countries. Most countries maintain embassies in Tel Aviv.
Former Colombian president Gustavo Petro in May 2024 broke diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza and had heavily criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Petro had closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled its ambassador, a move Israel said was “antisemitic and a reward for Hamas terrorists.”
Right-winger de la Espriella became president in August. On Tuesday, the free trade agreement that was terminated by Petro was reinstated.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said: “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.”
Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Omar Bula Escobar attended the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem.
Several countries have relocated their embassies to Jerusalem since the United States did so in 2018. Among them are Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, and Somaliland.