Colombia Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Restores Free Trade Agreement with Israel
ISLAMABAD, 14 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Colombia has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to establish a diplomatic mission in the city, while restoring a free trade agreement with Israel as part of a major shift in bilateral relations under President Abelardo de la Espriella. The move reverses the policy of former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 over its military actions in Gaza and strongly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Petro had also closed Colombia’s embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled the country’s ambassador. Israel had condemned the decision at the time. Colombia’s new president, a right-wing leader who took office in August, has moved to rebuild diplomatic and economic ti...





