Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Restores Ties with Israel

On October 14, 2026, Colombia inaugurated a new embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the tenth country to locate its diplomatic mission in the contested capital. The ceremony coincided with the restoration of a free-trade agreement that had been terminated by former President Gustavo Petro in May 2024. Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar attended the opening.

The Jerusalem PostSouth American nation opens West Jerusalem embassy after Pretoria exit The Media LineColombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Reversing Petro-Era Break With Israel

President Gustavo Petro broke diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024, closing the embassy in Tel Aviv and ending the free-trade pact, calling Israel’s Gaza campaign genocidal. Right-wing politician Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August 2026, reversed those policies, reinstating the trade agreement and moving the embassy to Jerusalem within two months.

Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Reversing Petro-Era Break With Israel ReutersIn major shift towards Israel, Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem Times of South Africa

• May 2024 – Petro severs ties and ends the free-trade agreement.

Breitbart

• August 2026 – de la Espriella assumes the presidency.

Breitbart

• July 15 2026 – Sa’ar and Escobar hold talks in Washington that lay groundwork for the embassy move.

The Media Line

• October 14 2026 – Embassy inauguration and trade-agreement reinstatement.

Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Reversing Petro-Era Break With Israel

• Colombia joins nine other states—United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kosovo, Somaliland and Nauru—that have placed embassies in Jerusalem.

Al Jazeera (website)

• The free-trade agreement restored on October 14 2026 revives economic ties that had been suspended for more than two years.

Reuters

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the relocation as a breach of international law and UN resolutions, echoing broader Arab criticism of moves that pre-empt a negotiated settlement on Jerusalem’s final status.

Colombia opens Embassy in Jerusalem amid controversy

• “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.” — Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli Foreign Minister

The Jerusalem Post

• “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

Reuters

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that Sa’ar and Escobar will hold bilateral talks on the day of the inauguration to discuss political dialogue, security cooperation and further trade opportunities. The restored free-trade agreement will guide future economic projects, and both ministries indicated plans to expand cultural and technological exchanges.

YnetNews