Colombia's President-Elect Plans Jerusalem Embassy, Reversing Petro's Israel Policy

Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella intends to open an embassy in Jerusalem, a move that dramatically alters the nation's foreign policy and aims to re-establish strong ties with Israel. This decision marks a complete departure from the stance of outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024 over its military offensive in Gaza.

De la Espriella, a conservative, is set to take office on August 7 and has declared his intention to reverse Petro's decision immediately. His press office announced on Thursday that preparations are underway to open the Colombian Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel's declared capital. Traditionally, before Petro's rupture, Colombia's diplomatic mission was based in Tel Aviv, where most foreign missions are located due to Jerusalem's disputed status.

This strategic shift by de la Espriella mirrors the 2018 decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. The announcement immediately triggered a public confrontation between the outgoing and incoming presidents. Petro took to social media to harshly criticize de la Espriella, accusing him and his collaborators of becoming complicit in genocide for supporting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's actions in Gaza.

In contrast, de la Espriella's incoming administration defended the policy change, emphasizing the importance of reviving a historical alliance for military, technological, and commercial cooperation. "The historical relationship that the Petro government unilaterally broke will be strengthened again," the statement asserted, highlighting the strategic benefits of restoring ties with Israel.