Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar congratulated Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on Monday morning and invited him to visit Israel, following a tight runoff with a margin of about 250,000 votes out of over 25 million cast. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro refuses to recognize the result, alleging irregularities and blaming Israel for vote fraud — claims Israel has dismissed. Argentina's President Javier Milei also congratulated the winner, noting the parallel rightward shift across South America toward strong ties with Israel.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar officially congratulated Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on Monday morning and invited him for a state visit to Israel. The invitation follows a tight runoff in which de la Espriella (right-wing) defeated his left-wing opponent by roughly 250,000 votes out of more than 25 million cast, according to Colombian electoral authorities. Sa'ar's call came after de la Espriella earlier invited him to Bogota, as The Zioneer reported at 22:28 Jerusalem on Sunday night. The pair's reciprocal invitations signal a rapid diplomatic rapprochement after outgoing President Gustavo Petro severed ties with Israel in May 2024.
As The Zioneer reported across the thread, initial projections at 22:28 Jerusalem on Sunday gave de la Espriella 50.1% of the vote based on exit polls, later refined to 49.66% as official counts progressed. Israeli media (N12's Asaf Rozentzweig) first reported the win and congratulations from Donald Trump and Sa'ar. By 22:28 Jerusalem, de la Espriella confirmed plans to move Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem. The thread's source quality evolved from a single Israeli journalist's report to multiple newsrooms and an on-record statement from Sa'ar's office. Outgoing President Petro has refused to recognize the result, alleging irregularities and accusing Israel of vote fraud — claims Israel has dismissed, and for which no evidence has been publicly provided.
Argentina's President Javier Milei also congratulated de la Espriella, noting the broader continental trend of right-wing electoral wins that have strengthened diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, as The Zioneer reported earlier this morning. The president-elect has pledged to relocate Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem and restore full diplomatic relations, reversing Petro's 2024 break.
What remains open: no exact date has been set for Sa'ar's visit to Bogota or de la Espriella's trip to Jerusalem. Final certified results from Colombia's electoral authorities are expected within days, amid Petro's ongoing legal challenge.
7 developments
- DevelopingOutgoing Colombia president Petro alleges Israeli vote-rigging as he refuses to concede
- DevelopingPro-Israel candidate Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia presidency, pledges Jerusalem embassy move
- DevelopingFormer Colombian President Gaviria endorses de la Espriella, voices trust he will uphold the 1991 constitution
- StrongIsraeli officials condemn Colombia president after 'Heil Hitler' post, Nazi comparisons
Source and signal
- Internal intake