Full Breakdown
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar Leads First South-America Tour in 44 Years, Culminating in Colombia’s Inauguration
8/6/2026, 8:19:03 PM
Sa’ar’s Diplomatic Tour Begins
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar launched a two-stop visit to Ecuador and Colombia, branding 2026 the Foreign Ministry’s “Year of Latin America.” It is the first visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Ecuador in 44 years.
Background: Renewing Ties with Colombia and Expanding Regional Outreach
Relations were severed in May 2024 when Colombia withdrew diplomatic recognition. In the weeks before the tour, Israel and Colombia’s foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, signed an agreement in Washington to relocate Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem, exchange ambassadors immediately and implement reciprocal visa waivers, reversing the 2024 break.
Timeline of Key Events
- August 5, 2026: Sa’ar stands with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azin in Quito.
- Two weeks before the tour: Sa’ar and Escobar sign the embassy-relocation agreement in Washington.
- Wednesday: Sa’ar arrives in Ecuador, addresses the National Assembly and signs a memorandum on counter-terrorism cooperation.
- Thursday: Colombian authorities announce the controlled detonation of a bus loaded with explosives suspected of targeting President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
- Friday (August 7): Sa’ar will represent Israel at de la Espriella’s inauguration in Cali, the first Colombian presidential ceremony held outside Bogotá.
Diplomatic Milestones in Ecuador
In Quito, Sa’ar met with Ecuadorian officials and the Jewish community, signing a memorandum covering counter-terrorism, innovation, agriculture and trade.
Security Concerns Ahead of the Colombian Inauguration
Colombian officials reported a bomb-laden bus was discovered and destroyed the day before the inauguration. The outgoing defense minister warned of a terrorist threat, linking the plot to dissident factions of the former FARC. No passengers were aboard and no casualties occurred.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sa’ar said deeper ties will benefit Israel “politically, economically and through tourism.”
- Colombian authorities described the incident as a thwarted terrorist attempt and confirmed the device’s safe disposal.
- President-elect de la Espriella framed the Cali inauguration as a “decentralization pledge” for regional development.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Through determined and systematic diplomatic efforts, we have succeeded in strengthening and renewing Israel's relations with many countries across Latin America,” — Gideon Sa’ar
What’s Next
The embassy move to Jerusalem and reciprocal diplomatic exchanges are slated to take effect after the August 7 inauguration. Sa’ar’s visit will continue with bilateral meetings on the ceremony’s sidelines, further cementing Israel’s outreach to Latin America.
