Full Breakdown
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar Begins First South-America Tour in 44 Years
8/7/2026, 12:37:00 AM
Launch of the Ecuador-Colombia Visit
On August 5, 2026, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Quito, marking the first visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Ecuador in 44 years. The trip continues with a scheduled stop in Cali, Colombia, where Sa’ar will attend the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella and hold bilateral meetings with regional leaders.
Diplomatic Milestones: Embassy Relocation and New Agreements
Two weeks prior to the tour, Sa’ar and Colombia’s designated foreign minister reached an agreement to relocate Bogotá’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The deal, negotiated in Washington, also provides for an immediate exchange of ambassadors and reciprocal visa waivers, reversing the May 2024 severing of ties enacted by former President Gustavo Petro. In Ecuador, Sa’ar signed a memorandum of understanding on counter-terrorism cooperation and pledged to expand economic ties in innovation, agriculture and trade.
Official Statements from the Israeli Foreign Ministry
Sa’ar emphasized that 2026 has been declared the Foreign Ministry’s “Year of Latin America,” describing the region as a strategic priority. He said Israel’s recent diplomatic work has improved relations across Latin America and that the partnership will benefit both peoples politically, economically and through tourism. The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the Ecuador-Ecuadorian agreement as a step toward deeper cooperation against shared security challenges.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the full name of Colombia’s foreign minister involved in the embassy agreement, referring to him as Omar Bula Escobar, Omar Batella Escobar, or simply “designated foreign minister.” No source provides further details on the timeline for implementing the visa-waiver provisions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Israel and Ecuador face common challenges,” — Gideon Sa’ar, foreign minister
