Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, at the start of his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, declared the immediate restoration of full diplomatic relations, reinstatement of the free trade agreement, and the decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem, calling 2026 the start of a new dawn for bilateral ties.
Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Friday evening, just hours after President Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated. Restrepo outlined a series of immediate steps: full restoration of diplomatic relations, reinstatement of the free trade agreement, strengthening political ties, and a decision to move the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem. He committed to maximizing the relationship through innovation and Israeli investment, creating jobs for Colombians, and declared that 2026 marks 'the beginning of a new dawn' in relations.
The meeting follows Sa'ar's meeting with President de la Espriella on Thursday, where the Israeli minister declared a 'golden era' in ties. The previous administration under Gustavo Petro had severed relations and taken a hostile stance toward Israel. De la Espriella campaigned on a platform of restoring ties, and the swift implementation of these pledges signals a major diplomatic shift in South America.
The restoration of the free trade agreement and the embassy move to Jerusalem are expected to be formalized in the coming weeks.
3 developments
- StrongColombia President de la Espriella reinforces pledge for 'stronger than ever' Israel ties
- StrongIsrael and Colombia agree to fully restore diplomatic, economic ties after August 7 inauguration
- StrongSa'ar, on eve of Colombia inauguration, declares 'golden era' in ties with de la Espriella
- StrongColombia's incoming foreign minister pledges to renew ties with Israel, move embassy to Jerusalem
Source and signal
- Open-source intake