Colombia’s incoming president, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced Wednesday that one of his administration’s top foreign policy priorities will be rebuilding and dramatically expanding ties with Israel, signaling a sharp departure from the approach taken by the country’s outgoing government.

The conservative leader made the pledge after speaking by telephone with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, promising that relations between the two nations would reach unprecedented levels once he takes office.

“Colombia will restore and strengthen its relationship with the State of Israel like never before,” he wrote on social media following the call.

Sa’ar described the conversation warmly, emphasizing his optimism about the new administration in Bogotá.

“A short time ago, I held a phone conversation with my friend Abelardo de la Espriella, the President-elect of Colombia, who is also a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”

Reflecting on the election outcome, Sa’ar praised the president-elect and expressed hope for the country’s future.

“I congratulated him on his important victory in the elections, a victory that creates hope and possibility for a better future for Colombia and its citizens, and I wished him great success,” added Sa’ar.

The Israeli foreign minister said both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to forging much closer cooperation between their countries in the years ahead.

“The President-elect reiterated in our conversation his commitment, which he also expressed during his election campaign, to the alliance between Israel and Colombia that will be stronger than ever. I too emphasized our strong desire to strengthen this alliance for the benefit of both our peoples. We will do this together – Colombia and Israel – and in a big way!” concluded the Foreign Minister.

De la Espriella won Sunday’s closely contested presidential runoff, narrowly defeating left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda by less than one percentage point. Throughout his campaign, he repeatedly pledged to restore close strategic ties with both Israel and the United States.

His election represents a dramatic reversal from the policies of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, whose administration repeatedly clashed with Israel. In May 2024, Petro cut diplomatic relations with the Jewish state over the war in Gaza and later instructed his government to open a Colombian embassy in Ramallah.

Petro also drew criticism after endorsing remarks by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who likened Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to the actions of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler against the Jewish people during World War II.

More recently, Petro ignited another international firestorm by posting “Heil Hitler” on X. The controversy intensified days later when, during remarks before the UN Security Council, he again compared Israel to Nazi Germany.

De la Espriella, a prominent attorney and businessman who has never before held elected office, is set to be sworn in this August. He has vowed to dismantle many of Petro’s foreign policy decisions, including pursuing a significantly closer partnership with both Jerusalem and Washington. Among his signature proposals is the creation of a joint military alliance involving Colombia, Israel, and the United States.

{Matzav.com}