Full Breakdown
Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Restores Free-Trade Deal with Israel
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Embassy inauguration and trade-agreement revival
On October 14, 2026, Colombia inaugurated a new embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the tenth nation to locate a diplomatic mission in the contested capital. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar attended. The same day the two governments exchanged diplomatic notes reinstating the Colombia-Israel free-trade agreement terminated in May 2024.
Background & Context
Former President Gustavo Petro broke diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024, closing the Tel Aviv embassy and ending the free-trade pact. Right-wing politician Abelardo de la Espriella assumed the presidency in August 2026 and pledged to reverse Petro’s policies, including moving the embassy to Jerusalem and restoring trade ties.
Timeline
- May 2024 – Petro severs ties and ends the free-trade agreement.
- August 2026 – De la Espriella takes office, announces intention to move the embassy.
- July 15 – Israeli and Colombian foreign ministers meet in Washington and agree to restore the free-trade agreement.
- October 14, 2026 – Embassy opens in Jerusalem; free-trade agreement is formally reinstated.
Data & Statistics
- Colombia is now the 10th country with an embassy in Jerusalem.
- The other nine are: United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Nauru, Somaliland, and Paraguay.
- Sa’ar noted that the number of embassies in Jerusalem has doubled from five to ten within two years.
Official Statements & Responses
Israeli officials framed the move as recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and a “historical” step for bilateral ties. Sa’ar emphasized that the embassy’s location reflects a “simple political fact” and a “historical truth” that “no decent person could deny.” President de la Espriella had pledged to relocate the embassy immediately upon taking office, a promise fulfilled on October 14.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, we are taking a concrete step towards restoring diplomatic relations between our countries, relations that should never have been broken. Israel is a strategic partner. It always has been, and from now on, it will be an even stronger one,” — Omar Bula Escobar, Colombian Foreign Minister
- “This is a day of celebration for Israel-Colombia relations, but it is also a day of celebration for Jerusalem, the capital,” — Gideon Sa’ar
Why It Matters
The embassy opening marks a sharp diplomatic shift in Latin America, aligning Colombia more closely with Israel after a two-year hiatus. Restoring the free-trade agreement re-opens channels for commerce, agriculture, technology, and security cooperation cultivated for nearly seven decades. The move also supports Israel’s broader effort to encourage additional countries to locate missions in Jerusalem, reinforcing its claim to the city amid ongoing negotiations.
What's Next
Israeli officials indicated that the embassy relocation is part of a wider campaign to attract more diplomatic missions to Jerusalem. Sa’ar mentioned that the Democratic Republic of Congo is slated to become the 11th embassy, with further countries expected to follow. Colombia’s foreign ministry signaled plans to expand trade in artificial-intelligence applications and deepen security collaboration, citing the restored partnership as a foundation for future projects.
