Colombia's president-elect to move embassy to occupied Jerusalem

• Colombia's incoming president plans to relocate the country's embassy to occupied Jerusalem and restore close ties with 'Israel'.
• The new government also intends to withdraw support for South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel' at the International Court of Justice.

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo De La Espriella, has announced that his incoming administration intends to relocate the country's embassy in 'Israel' to occupied Jerusalem, marking a major shift in Bogotá's foreign policy.

In a statement released Thursday, the president-elect's office said the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations with 'Israel', reversing policies adopted by the outgoing government.

The decision would place Colombia among a small group of countries that have moved their embassies to occupied Jerusalem, following the United States, which relocated its embassy in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. Most countries continue to maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv because they do not recognize 'Israeli' sovereignty over Jerusalem.

De La Espriella, a right-wing politician who narrowly won last month's presidential election with the backing of Trump, has pledged to restore security and military cooperation with both Washington and 'Israel' after taking office in August.

His administration is expected to reverse key decisions made by former President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with 'Israel' in 2024, banned coal exports to 'Israel', halted arms imports from 'Israel', and pursued plans to establish a diplomatic mission in Ramallah.

The president-elect's office also said Colombia intends to formally withdraw its support for South Africa's case against 'Israel' before the International Court of Justice, which accuses 'Israel' of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Petro's government had strongly backed the case alongside other countries.

As part of the transition, Colombia's incoming Foreign Minister Omar Bola met 'Israeli' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Washington to discuss rebuilding bilateral ties.

According to the statement, both sides agreed on a roadmap to restore strategic cooperation, including security coordination, easing travel by removing visa requirements, and expanding collaboration in defense and technology to support Colombia's campaign against armed groups.