‘No better friend than Colombia’ - Netanyahu hails Jerusalem embassy opening
Key Takeaways
- Colombia becomes the tenth country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.
- De la Espriella reverses Petro's decision to cut ties with Israel.
- Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights draws criticism from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
Israel and Colombia strengthen diplomatic ties as President Abelardo de la Espriella reverses his predecessor's policies and moves the country's embassy to Jerusalem.
"You have no better friend than Israel. We believe that we have no better friend than Colombia."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the declaration on Wednesday as Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, marking a new phase in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The opening follows Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella's decision to restore ties with Israel after his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, severed relations in May 2024 over the war in Gaza.
Speaking at the inauguration, Netanyahu welcomed Colombia's decision and highlighted Jerusalem's importance to Israel.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Six countries account for three-quarters of Europe’s unicorn startups
"Thank you, Colombia, for this friendship, and I can say that there's no better place to celebrate it than in Jerusalem. Because it has been the pulsating heart of the Jewish people for three millennia. It's our past, it's our future, it's our hope, it's our faith," Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader praised De la Espriella for changing Colombia's diplomatic approach and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in security, agriculture, water management and artificial intelligence.
"We want to seize the future together with security, with agriculture, with water, with AI, with everything, with everything. We want to make it grow- not only the crops, the people, the children- give hope," he continued.
Netanyahu also acknowledged that Israel's relations with several Latin American governments had weakened in recent years but said diplomatic engagement was improving.
"You have a beautiful country, beautiful people, and you deserve the future that now you will get. You have no better friend than Israel. We believe that we have no better friend than Colombia," he remarked.
Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar attended the embassy inauguration.
With the opening, Colombia becomes the tenth country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem and the fourth Latin American nation to do so, joining Guatemala, Honduras and Paraguay.
The diplomatic development follows more than two years of strained relations between Israel and Colombia.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Madagascar Roundup: Child food poverty hits 77%, growth rebound forecast for 2027 and northern risk mapping begins
In May 2024, former President Petro cut diplomatic ties with Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide against Palestinians. Israel rejected the allegation.
The decision disrupted a relationship dating back to 1957, when the two countries established diplomatic ties.
Since assuming office in August 2026, De la Espriella has moved to rebuild relations, revive a bilateral free trade agreement and strengthen cooperation in security, technology and investment.
His government has also recognised Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, prompting criticism from the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.
The decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem remains controversial because of the city's disputed status. Most countries continue to maintain their diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
