Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, joining a small group of countries that have moved their diplomatic missions to the city. The move marks a sharp reversal from the previous administration's stance toward Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar attended the inauguration ceremony. Saar signed the embassy's guest book and stated, "This is an important date for the State of Israel. It's also an important date for the city of Jerusalem." Jerusalem's mayor, Moshe Lion, and Colombian Ambassador Tania Gilinski were also present.
The decision to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was initiated by Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, a conservative who took office in August. Espriella announced the move in July and had pledged during his campaign to transfer the embassy if elected. He is described as an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who moved the American embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 during his first term.
Colombia becomes the tenth country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem. The United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Fiji, Nauru, and Somaliland also maintain embassies in the city. The vast majority of countries with formal diplomatic relations with Israel keep their embassies in Tel Aviv. Jerusalem's status as Israel's capital is not recognized by the international community, and Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state.
The embassy opening represents a complete reversal from the previous Colombian administration. Former President Gustavo Petro, a leftist, severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 in response to Israeli military operations in Gaza. Petro had closed Colombia's embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled its ambassador. Israel characterized that move as antisemitic and a reward for Hamas militants.
During Bula's visit to Israel, the two countries also reinstated a free trade agreement that Petro had terminated. Saar stated that in two months, the new administration had reversed most negative consequences of the Petro era for Israel-Colombia relations and had broken new ground in bilateral ties.
Colombian officials said the diplomatic presence would advance cooperation in security, commerce, investment, agriculture, science, and technology between the two countries.