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Colombia has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, marking a major shift in its relationship with Israel after former president Gustavo Petro cut diplomatic ties over the war in Gaza.
The October 14 inauguration follows the restoration of relations under President Abelardo de la Espriella, whose government has made rebuilding the alliance a foreign policy priority.
Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 in protest against its military campaign in Gaza. The decision fractured a longstanding partnership, particularly in security and defence.
His successor has taken a sharply different approach. De la Espriella pledged to restore relations and establish Colombia’s embassy in Jerusalem, going further than reopening its former mission in Tel Aviv. The inauguration delivers on that commitment.
Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar attended the ceremony alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Colombia’s ambassador, Tania Gilinski, will lead the mission, with a mandate that includes supporting Colombian nationals and strengthening cooperation between the countries.
The embassy’s location gives the announcement significance beyond the restoration of diplomatic ties.
Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Most countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv or nearby, reflecting the position that Jerusalem’s final status should be settled through negotiations.
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Colombia’s mission is the tenth embassy to open in Jerusalem. The move places Colombia among a small group of countries, including the United States, that have established embassies there.
Colombia’s government says the renewed relationship will focus on security, defence, trade and technological development. Its Foreign Ministry also confirmed that the normalization process has included restoring reciprocal visa exemptions for tourist travel.
The opening makes Colombia’s change in direction clear. After a period defined by confrontation with Israel, the new administration is rebuilding the partnership—and its choice of Jerusalem adds another politically sensitive dimension to that reset.
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