Full Breakdown
Colombia Moves to Restore Ties with Israel, Open Embassy in Jerusalem and Exit ICJ Case
7/19/2026, 5:57:17 AM
Core Development – Restoration of Relations
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced that, effective after his inauguration on August 7 2024, Colombia will fully restore diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. The plan includes the mutual exchange of ambassadors, the elimination of visa requirements for citizens of both countries, and the opening of a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem, making Colombia the ninth nation to locate its embassy in the Israeli capital. Simultaneously, Bogotá will withdraw its intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.
Background & Context – From Severance to Reconciliation
In May 2024, left-wing President Gustavo Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel, recalled Colombia’s ambassador, and filed a declaration of intervention in South Africa’s ICJ case accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during the Gaza war. Petro also ordered the opening of a Colombian embassy in Ramallah and suspended Israeli arms purchases. The diplomatic rupture persisted for more than a year, during which Israel recalled its ambassador and imposed a mandatory B-2 tourist visa on Colombians (effective May 14 2025). In July 2025, Colombia responded with reciprocal visa requirements for Israeli citizens.
Key Figures & Groups
- Abelardo de la Espriella – President-elect of Colombia, former lawyer, “The Tiger,” dual Colombian-U.S. citizen.
- Gustavo Petro – Outgoing leftist president who broke ties with Israel.
- Gideon Sa’ar – Israeli Foreign Minister, lead negotiator of the restoration.
- Omar Bula Escobar – Colombia’s incoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, primary interlocutor in Washington.
- South Africa – Plaintiff in the ICJ genocide case against Israel.
- International Court of Justice – UN’s principal judicial body hearing the case.
Official Statements & Responses
Israeli and Colombian foreign ministries released a joint statement outlining a “detailed roadmap” to restore full diplomatic and economic relations immediately after the August 7 inauguration. Both sides will re-appoint ambassadors and scrap mutual tourist-visa requirements to boost tourism, business, and people-to-people exchanges. Colombia pledged to change its positions in United Nations forums and to withdraw the declaration of intervention it filed in April 2024. The ministries also confirmed that Colombia intends to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by establishing its embassy there.
Criticism & Opposition
Domestic opposition in Colombia, led by left-wing parties that secured nearly half of the runoff vote, has warned that the embassy move and renewed military cooperation could exacerbate internal tensions and provoke protests. Analysts cited in the press have expressed doubt about the new government’s capacity to fulfill its ambitious security and foreign-policy agenda amid the country’s worst violence levels in a decade. Israel’s officials continue to dismiss South Africa’s genocide allegations as “baseless” and “politically motivated,” reinforcing their opposition to the ICJ proceedings.
Data & Statistics
- Visa regime: Prior to mid-2025, Colombian tourists enjoyed 90-day visa-free entry to Israel; the B-2 visa was imposed on May 14 2025, with reciprocal Colombian visas introduced in July 2025.
- Embassy count: Colombia will join United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Fiji, and Somaliland as the nine countries with embassies in Jerusalem.
- ICJ timeline: South Africa’s case was extended in May 2024; the Republic of South Africa must file its reply by Nov 22 2027, and Israel’s rejoinder is due by May 22 2029.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact date Israel reinstated visa-free travel for Colombians, with some noting the policy remained until mid-2025, while others cite a May 2025 cutoff. Additionally, the precise wording of Colombia’s withdrawal from the ICJ case varies between statements, though all agree on the intent to “return to a responsible position in the international arena.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “The historic relationship that the Petro government unilaterally severed will be strengthened once again,” — President-elect’s office
- “Colombia will return to a responsible position in the international arena, including within UN bodies, and will withdraw its involvement in the case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague,” — President-elect’s office
- “I am pleased to have met with Omar Bula, Colombia’s incoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Washington,” — Gideon Sa’ar (Twitter)
- “Colombia will restore and strengthen its relationship with the State of Israel like never before.” — Israeli Foreign Ministry statement
- “outlined a detailed roadmap for the full and immediate restoration of diplomatic and economic relations between our two countries.” — Gideon Sa’ar (statement)
