Colombia to end ICJ intervention against Israel, restore diplomatic ties, president-elect says

Colombia will withdraw its intervention in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), its president-elect announced on Thursday after a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Colombia’s incoming foreign minister in Washington, D.C.

The statement, titled “Incoming Abelardo De La Espriella government to restore historic alliance between Colombia and Israel,” said the meeting established a “roadmap” for the “full and immediate” restoration of diplomatic and economic relations following De La Espriella’s Aug. 7 inauguration.

“Colombia will also resume a serious and responsible position on the international stage, including within the United Nations system, and withdraw its intervention in the case brought by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice,” De La Espriella affirmed.

The meeting between the foreign ministers resulted in agreements on the immediate and mutual appointment of ambassadors, the mutual cancellation of visa requirements, and the opening of a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. 

The development marks a push to restore ties with what Sa’ar called “a historic and close ally of Israel in Latin America.”

Colombia unilaterally severed diplomatic relations under the outgoing government of Gustavo Petro in May 2024, a month after it applied to intervene in the ICJ case against Israel, citing “daily threats” to the “very existence” of the Palestinian people. Petro became one of Israel’s harshest critics following the war with Hamas that ensued after the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, which he refused to condemn.

The victory of De La Espriella, who vowed during his campaign to re-establish ties with the Jewish State, was welcomed in Israel. The 47-year-old attorney said he aims to steer Colombia toward the free-market economic policies of Argentine President Javier Milei and a crime crackdown modeled on Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

Following a phone call between Sa’ar and De La Espriella last month, Israel’s Foreign Ministry began preparations for the appointment of a new ambassador to Colombia, who is expected to be selected as early as July 20.

De La Espriella’s win comes amid a broader rightward shift in Latin America, including Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, and Costa Rica.

After he met with Colombia’s incoming foreign minister, Sa’ar convened a meeting of the foreign ministers of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia, along with a U.S. State Department advisor on Latin American affairs, in Washington.

The ties between Israel and Latin America continue to grow stronger and deeper.

This evening in Washington DC, I met with the Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, together with Viviana Bovo, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State.

We discussed the… pic.twitter.com/RdxzKnDMKH

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) July 16, 2026

The Foreign Ministry has called 2026 “the Year of Latin America” for Israel. The renewed push comes amid a regional shift and the signing of the Isaac Accords, as partnerships with allies across Latin America deepen.