Key facts
- Colombia and Israel will eliminate visa requirements for citizens starting September 1.
- The move signifies a major foreign policy shift under Colombia's new far-right government.
- This aligns with President Abelardo de la Espriella's pro-Israel stance, reversing predecessor Gustavo Petro's policies.
- Colombia plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem and has recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
- The government has also recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Colombia and Israel will abolish visa requirements for each other’s citizens starting September 1, a move that underscores the significant foreign policy realignment under President Abelardo de la Espriella's new far-right government. This decision reverses the stance of former President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024, describing its actions in Gaza as genocide.
The agreement was announced following discussions between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Colombian counterpart, Omar Bula Escobar. The visa waiver is part of a broader effort by de la Espriella to foster closer ties with Israel, including plans to open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. This shift also includes Colombia recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, a move supported by few other nations.
Furthermore, Colombia has aligned itself with another foreign policy priority shared by Israel and the United States by recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, abandoning its previous support for the Sahrawi people. These rapid changes in diplomatic and political positioning have repositioned Colombia as a key political partner for Israel in Latin America, even as international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank continues to grow.