By 5 Towns Central Staff

GOLAN HEIGHTS, NORTHERN ISRAEL (August 10, 2026) – Colombia has formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, becoming only the second country after the United States to take that position and marking a dramatic reversal from the pro-Palestinian foreign policy pursued by former President Gustavo Petro.

The announcement came just days after newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella took office. De la Espriella, a strong supporter of Israel, has promised to rebuild Colombia’s diplomatic and security relationship with Jerusalem and move away from many of Petro’s policies.

In explaining the decision, Colombia’s government cited the Golan’s strategic importance to Israel and the continuing instability throughout the Middle East. Bogotá said Israeli control of the territory is important to Israel’s ability to defend its population from external threats.

The Golan Heights were captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel later extended its laws and administration to the territory in 1981, a move that was rejected by most of the international community. In 2019, President Donald Trump made the United States the first country to formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan. Colombia’s decision now makes it the second.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the move as a “historic” decision and thanked De la Espriella and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar. Sa’ar said Israel would work to encourage additional countries to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau.

The announcement is part of a much broader reset in relations between Bogotá and Jerusalem.

Under Petro, Colombia’s relationship with Israel deteriorated sharply, including diplomatic disputes and moves to distance the country from Jerusalem. De la Espriella has moved rapidly in the opposite direction, seeking closer cooperation with Israel in areas including security, trade and diplomacy.

One of his most significant planned changes is the relocation of Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem. Most countries maintain their embassies in or around Tel Aviv because of the unresolved international dispute over Jerusalem’s status. The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 under Trump, followed by several other countries.

De la Espriella has also halted plans initiated under Petro to establish a Colombian embassy in Ramallah. Colombia is not, however, expected to reverse its recognition of a Palestinian state.

The new president has simultaneously promised a tougher approach to Colombia’s drug cartels and armed groups, a revival of the country’s oil and gas sector and an end to Petro’s policy of negotiating with multiple armed organizations.

Taken together, the Golan recognition, planned Jerusalem embassy, renewed Israel ties and broader foreign-policy realignment represent one of the most dramatic diplomatic shifts in Colombia’s recent history. The move also places Bogotá increasingly alongside Washington and other conservative governments in Latin America that have sought closer ties with Israel.

#Atención | Colombia reconoce la soberanía de Israel sobre los Altos del Golán. pic.twitter.com/D7dDZ6lxzy

— Cancillería Colombia (@CancilleriaCol) August 10, 2026