Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem and invited Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to visit Bogota, after winning a tight election with 49.66% of the vote, according to Israeli media.
President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has invited Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to visit Bogota, according to Israeli media, building on a reciprocal diplomatic exchange that began earlier with Sa'ar's own invitation to de la Espriella to visit Jerusalem. The invitation was issued after de la Espriella's narrow victory in Sunday's presidential election — a race The Zioneer tracked through the evening as results came in and were certified by Colombian electoral authorities.
As The Zioneer reported Sunday at 22:28 Jerusalem, de la Espriella was initially projected to win with 50.1% of the vote based on exit polls. By early Monday, the lead narrowed and his opponent Jorge Cepeda challenged the count, which The Zioneer reported with attribution to the Associated Press. By Monday 07:28 Jerusalem, Colombian electoral authorities certified de la Espriella's victory with 49.66% of the vote, defeating left-wing challenger Iván Cepeda by roughly 250,000 ballots (48.7%). Foreign Minister Sa'ar had already congratulated de la Espriella and invited him to Jerusalem at 22:28 Sunday, and now the president-elect has reciprocated with an invitation to Bogota.
The president-elect has pledged to move Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem, a promise he made during the campaign and reiterated after his victory. This would reverse the diplomatic break imposed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who severed ties with Israel in May 2024. As The Zioneer reported Monday at 03:53 Jerusalem, Petro has refused to recognize the result and alleged Israeli interference, without providing public evidence.
It remains open whether Sa'ar will accept the invitation to Bogota and when a visit might take place. De la Espriella's inauguration is expected in the coming weeks.
8 developments
- DevelopingFM Sa'ar congratulates Colombia's de la Espriella on presidential win
- DevelopingIsrael publishes tender for new ambassador to Colombia, restoring ties after severance
- StrongColombia president-elect de la Espriella pledges full restoration of ties with Israel, including embassy move
- StrongColombia's new president announces first act: opening embassy in Jerusalem
Source and signal
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