# Israeli military presence in Colombia following earthquake

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-military-presence-in-colombia-following-earthquake
> Updated: 2026-08-17T22:37:16.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in southwest Colombia, a delegation of 82 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) members, known as ‘Brit Re’im’ (Alliance of Friends), arrived in Cali to assist in search and rescue operations. The group includes engineers, medical professionals, and K9 units intended to locate missing persons and assess building safety. The deployment occurred following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Israel and Colombia under President Abelardo de la Espriella.

The mission has triggered significant political controversy. Former President Gustavo Petro questioned if the group represented humanitarian aid or “war soldiers,” suggesting domestic personnel should be used instead. IDF spokesperson Roni Kaplan defended the team as “soldiers of peace” experienced in managing emergencies.

As the death toll reached approximately 300, political backlash intensified. Legislators from the Pacto Histórico and other figures, such as Representative Santiago Osorio, argued that the presence of Israeli soldiers and authorized U.S. military maneuvers against narcoterrorism violate national sovereignty. Critics further contend that these foreign military deployments were authorized without the constitutional approval of the Colombian Senate.

Recent developments show growing calls from Colombian legislators and former councilors for the immediate withdrawal of the troops. Critics have cited objections to the Israeli government's policies in Gaza and expressed concerns regarding the conduct of the delegation. Additionally, some representatives have reported that local volunteers feel sidelined by the arrival of the Israeli contingent.

## Claims

- An 82-member Israeli military delegation has arrived in Cali, Colombia, to assist in search and rescue operations following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Colombian legislator Santiago Osorio demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops, citing objections to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Representative María Fernanda Carrascal reported complaints from Pereira and Cali regarding the conduct of Israeli personnel and the sidelining of local volunteers. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Israeli delegation includes engineers who are inspecting damaged buildings to determine safety and serviceability. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his support following the earthquake. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Israeli spokesperson Roni Kaplan stated that the soldiers are ‘soldiers of peace’ acting in accordance with international humanitarian law. (single source)
- Former President Gustavo Petro criticized the use of military personnel for humanitarian work, suggesting Colombia requires civilian or medical aid instead. (single source)
- Former Bogotá city councilor Carlos Carrillo denounced spokesperson Roni Kaplan for his previous political statements regarding Gaza. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Colombia faces backlash over Israeli and U.S. military presence

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella faces criticism for authorizing Israeli and U.S. military presence following a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake, amid claims of constitutional violations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-faces-backlash-over-israeli-and-us-military-presence

### 2026-08-15: Israel deploys rescue delegation to Colombia following earthquake

An 82-member Israeli military delegation has arrived in Cali, Colombia, to aid earthquake recovery, sparking political backlash and calls for withdrawal from Colombian officials.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-defends-military-aid-deployment-to-colombia

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Cite as: Israeli military presence in Colombia following earthquake. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-military-presence-in-colombia-following-earthquake