Abelardo de la Espriella
Abelardo de la Espriella is the President of Colombia, elected in June 2026 on a right-wing platform. He has initiated a historic diplomatic realignment with Israel, including the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and a pledge to move the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem.
Abelardo de la Espriella assumed the presidency of Colombia on August 7, 2026, following a narrow runoff victory where he secured 49.66% of the vote. A millionaire attorney and outspoken admirer of right-wing populist movements, de la Espriella’s election marked a decisive end to the administration of Gustavo Petro, who had severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024. De la Espriella campaigned on a platform of national security, economic reform, and a return to traditional Western alliances, framing the restoration of the Israel-Colombia partnership as a return to the "right side of history."
Immediately upon taking office, de la Espriella moved to fulfill his campaign promises. His administration announced the full restoration of diplomatic relations, the return of ambassadors to Bogota and Jerusalem, and the renewal of critical security and economic cooperation. In a landmark move on August 10, 2026, Colombia became one of the few nations to formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, citing the plateau's strategic importance to Israel's national security. This shift was met with praise from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who characterized the new administration's stance as a "strategic shift" for Latin American diplomacy.
Beyond foreign policy, de la Espriella’s early term has been defined by domestic crisis management. In August 2026, he led the national response to a devastating magnitude-7.4 earthquake that resulted in hundreds of casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Despite facing allegations of election interference from his predecessor—who claimed without evidence that Israeli software manipulated the vote—de la Espriella has maintained a focus on institutional stability and strengthening ties with Jerusalem, including advancing plans to relocate the Colombian embassy to Israel's capital.