Colombia has officially recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, becoming the second nation to do so after the United States.

In an announcement published on Monday, the Colombian Government cited the territory's strategic importance to Israel's security amid persistent regional instability in the Middle East.

The statement said Israel has faced persistent and existential security challenges along its borders for decades, with these threats intensifying significantly in recent years and culminating in the October 7 terrorist attacks.

"Within this regional security context," Colombia said that maintaining Israeli control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights constitutes an essential component of Israel's national defense and its ability to protect and safeguard its citizens.

Colombia said the decision reaffirms its commitment to seeking stable and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Colombia is the second nation to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, after US President Donald Trump did so in 2019.

The decision comes shortly after a major change in Colombia's government following the country's presidential election. New President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on August 7, has pledged to restore and strengthen relations with Israel, reversing the policies of former President Gustavo Petro, whose government broke diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024. De la Espriella had pledged during his campaign to restore Colombia's "historic alliance" with Israel, marking a sharp shift in the country's policy toward the Jewish state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar commended the decision, calling it "historic," and thanking President De La Espriella and Minister of Foreign Affairs Omar Bula Escobar.

Sa'ar noted that the decision follows his meeting with the President in Barranquilla, Colombia, last Thursday.

"With this, the President of Colombia has demonstrated, in one of his first decisions in office, his leadership, his values, and his commitment to Israel and Israel's security," Sa'ar stated.

"Israel is a small country without strategic depth. Having defensible borders is essential for Israel in order to guarantee the existence of the Jewish people in its historic homeland," he added.

The Israeli Foreign Minister pledged to "continue to act so that more countries join the United States (under President Trump) and Colombia (under President De La Espriella) in recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan, to which Israeli law was applied 45 years ago."