Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella announced Monday that he will close the Palestinian embassy in Bogotá and open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem, according to Israeli media. The move reverses the policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.
Today, President Abelardo de la Espriella officially confirmed the shift in Colombia's diplomatic policy toward Israel, announcing the closure of the Palestinian embassy in Bogotá and the opening of a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. The announcement follows earlier statements by the president earlier today, first as president-elect, detailing a broader diplomatic overhaul that includes closing 14 embassies and severing ties with Cuba and Nicaragua.
The Zioneer has been tracking this development since June 25, when then-president-elect de la Espriella stated on social media that opening the embassy in Jerusalem would be his first official act upon taking office. On July 16, the incoming Colombian foreign minister informed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar of the planned embassy move, as The Zioneer reported. Earlier today at 12:34 Jerusalem, the president-elect announced the closure of the Palestinian embassy and the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem, attributed to Israeli media reports citing Kan's Amichai Stein. The thread also included details of a broader diplomatic restructuring. The latest confirmation from the president, now in office, solidifies the policy shift.
The moves reverse the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with Israel and opened a Palestinian embassy in Bogotá. The Zioneer reported on July 16 that the incoming foreign minister had informed Israel of the planned embassy move, and on June 25 that the president-elect had made the embassy opening a priority.
It remains unclear when the new embassy in Jerusalem will officially open and when the Palestinian embassy in Bogotá will be closed. No response from the Palestinian Authority has been reported.
5 developments
- DevelopingSenior official plans to close 14 embassies, sever ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, Rozentzweig reports
- DevelopingColombia president-elect de la Espriella vows no ties with nations disrespecting democracy
- StrongColombia's new president announces first act: opening embassy in Jerusalem
- DevelopingColombia's incoming president announces withdrawal from ICC case against Israel
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