Key facts
- Colombia's new government has authorized the export of coal to Israel.
- This decision overturns an embargo previously imposed by former President Gustavo Petro.
- The previous ban was enacted due to concerns over Israel's actions in Gaza.
- The new government, led by President Abelardo de la Espriella, has also restored diplomatic relations with Israel.
- Colombia was previously Israel's largest coal supplier.
Colombia's new right-wing government has authorized the export of coal to Israel, reversing an embargo that had been put in place by the previous administration. Trade Minister Mauricio Gomez Amin announced the decision on Friday, stating that the decree authorizing the export has been signed. This move signifies a significant shift in Colombia's foreign policy since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office on August 7.
The embargo was initially imposed by former President Gustavo Petro in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Petro had severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 and subsequently restricted thermal coal exports, eventually imposing a total embargo in August 2025. The measure was intended to remain in effect until Israel complied with provisional orders from the International Court of Justice to withdraw from Gaza. Before the restrictions, Colombia was a major supplier of thermal coal to Israel, accounting for 60 percent of its imports in the first part of 2024.
Minister Gomez Amin characterized the previous embargo as a product of Petro's ideology, while President De la Espriella highlighted the swift reversal, noting his administration has only been in power for 15 days. The decision to resume coal exports is part of a broader pro-Israel stance adopted by the new government, which has also restored diplomatic relations, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and announced plans to relocate the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem.