[REVISION HISTORY]

Colombia-Israel diplomatic and visa waiver developments

23 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-27 10:46 UTC → 2026-10-28 02:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Colombia and Israel are rapidly normalizing relations under President Abelardo de la Espriella, following the severance of ties in May 2024. On September 11, 2026, the nations restored mutual tourist visa exemptions via Resolution 12189, allowing stays of up to 90 days to promote commercial, cultural, and academic exchanges. This follows a significant foreign policy shift in August 2026, when Colombia recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Efforts to rebuild ties have expanded to include cooperation in security, intelligence, cybersecurity, technology, trade, and agriculture. On October 14, 2026, Colombia officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, a move attended by Foreign Ministers Omar Bula Escobar and Gideon Sa’ar, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This relocation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem makes Colombia the tenth country to establish a diplomatic presence in the city. The administration has also reinstated a free trade agreement between the two nations. The decision has drawn widespread condemnation from approximately 19 Islamic and Arab nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan. These nations issued a joint statement arguing that recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital violates UN Security Council resolutions 476 and 478 and undermines two-state solution efforts, declaring the move “null and void.” Egypt summoned the Colombian chargé d'affaires in Cairo to express a formal protest, characterizing the decision as an “unacceptable unilateral step.” Domestically, the policy shift has triggered significant unrest, with protesters in Bogota denouncing the government’s alignment with Israel and the United States. Additionally, Colombia has officially withdrawn from the Hague Group—an alliance it previously co-chaired—stating the group was “created to isolate and attack Israel.” Colombia is also reportedly considering joining the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

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