Colombia recognizes Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights
The decision follows a series of diplomatic overtures between Bogota and Jerusalem tied to the presidential transition
Colombia's Foreign Ministry has officially announced its recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Monday's announcement follows Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's meeting with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla last Thursday, ahead of de la Espriella's inauguration.
In its announcement, the Colombian government said that "given the ongoing regional instability in the Middle East, and considering the strategic importance of the Golan Heights to Israel's security," it recognizes Israel's sovereignty over the territory and its right to defend itself against external threats.
Colombia further stated that Israel has faced "ongoing and existential security challenges along all of its borders" for decades, threats it said intensified following the October 7 attack. It said maintaining Israeli control over the Golan Heights is "an essential component" of Israel's national security.
Sa'ar thanked Colombia and de la Espriella for the "historic decision," crediting their meeting last Thursday. He also thanked Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula for what he called their friendship and professional cooperation. "Israel is a small country without strategic depth. Defensible borders are essential for it to ensure the existence of the Jewish people in its historic homeland," Sa'ar said, adding he would keep working to bring more countries in line with the United States and Colombia in recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the territory, first annexed under Israeli law 45 years ago.
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The recognition follows a broader set of agreements reached between Sa'ar and Colombia's president, vice president and foreign minister, including the full renewal of diplomatic relations, the immediate appointment of ambassadors, the relocation of Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem, the elimination of visa requirements, a return to a free trade agreement, and Colombia's withdrawal from South Africa's ICJ case against Israel and from the "Hague Group."
Sa'ar also spoke separately with Bula to express solidarity with Colombia following Monday's earthquake, offering Israeli assistance.
The rapprochement is part of a wider push by Sa'ar to strengthen Israel's ties across Latin America, with the foreign ministry designating 2026 the "Year of Latin America."