Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombia’s incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar reached an agreement in Washington to fully resume diplomatic relations between the two countries. The agreement is to take effect immediately after the inauguration of Colombia’s President-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, on August 7.
Both sides agreed to the immediate and mutual resumption of diplomatic and economic relations and the prompt appointment of new ambassadors. Foreign Minister-designate Bula Escobar also announced that his government would open an embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. Sa’ar pledged his ministry’s full support for the swift implementation of this plan.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombia’s Foreign Minister-designate Omar Bula Escobar met in Washington. They agreed to fully resume diplomatic relations and open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. Video: Shmulik Almani
Furthermore, both ministers agreed to mutually lift visa requirements. During their talks, they also discussed other aspects of bilateral cooperation.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, preparations are already underway for the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador to Bogotá. This follows a telephone conversation last month between Gideon Sa’ar and President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella . The new ambassador is expected to be confirmed by the Foreign Ministry’s appointments committee, chaired by Sa’ar, as early as next week, on July 20.
For decades, Colombia was considered a close and historic ally of Israel in Latin America. However, these relations were unilaterally severed in May 2024 by outgoing President Gustavo Petro. Israel’s ambassador was recalled from Colombia in June 2024, while the Colombian ambassador left Israel at the end of June of the same year.
The preparations now underway are intended to ensure that historical relations can be fully restored and further developed immediately after the new Colombian president takes office.
Immediately after the announcement of the agreement with Colombia, Gideon Sa’ar chaired a political meeting in Washington with the foreign ministers of several Latin American states.
The late-night meeting was attended by, among others, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno , Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano , Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Armayo , and Viviana Bovo , senior advisor to the US Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs. Also present were the Bolivian Minister of Presidential and Internal Affairs and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Paraguay.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar (center) with representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and the USA at a meeting in Washington to deepen cooperation between Israel and Latin American countries. Photo: Shmulik Almani.
Sa’ar has declared 2026 the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s year of focus on Latin America. During the meeting, participants discussed the partnership between their countries and cooperation in the areas of economics and innovation. They also talked about the positive and pro-Western transformation currently underway in several countries on the continent and how all involved can benefit from it. The ministers also raised a glass to Argentina’s victory.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar declared:
“Relations between Israel and Latin America are becoming increasingly close and stable. This evening in Washington, we met with the foreign ministers of Israel, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, as well as with Viviana Bovo, senior advisor to the US Secretary of State. We discussed the major changes in Latin America, but also the challenges and dangers posed by its enemies.”
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