Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke Wednesday with Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, congratulating him on his victory and emphasizing Israel's commitment to deepening the alliance. De la Espriella reiterated his pledge for a stronger-than-ever bilateral relationship, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke with Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on Wednesday evening, congratulating him on his decisive victory in the June 21 presidential runoff and pledging to deepen the bilateral alliance, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
The call follows a series of diplomatic engagements since de la Espriella's win. As The Zioneer reported on June 22, Sa'ar's initial congratulatory call was followed by a formal invitation for de la Espriella to visit Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump also called the president-elect on Monday, vowing strong ties, and de la Espriella has since asserted that a pro-Israel shift is sweeping South America.
De la Espriella, a right-wing populist who defeated left-wing Senator Iván Sepeda with 49.66% of the vote, has pledged to move Colombia's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and restore diplomatic ties severed by outgoing President Gustavo Petro. In Wednesday's conversation, he reaffirmed that commitment, saying the Colombia-Israel alliance will be "stronger than ever." Sa'ar quoted himself telling de la Espriella: "We will do it together — Colombia and Israel — and in a big way!"
No details were given on a timeline for the embassy move or a potential visit by the president-elect.
3 developments
- DevelopingColombia president-elect de la Espriella vows no ties with nations disrespecting democracy
- DevelopingTrump congratulates Colombia's president-elect de la Espriella, vows 'powerful' US-Colombia ties
- DevelopingColombia's president-elect: South America shifting toward Israel, expects to move embassy to Jerusalem
- StrongIsrael's Foreign Ministry hails Colombia's de la Espriella win as 'strategic shift'
Source and signal
- Internal intake