Colombia announced recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights on Monday, following the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella. The Colombian Foreign Ministry issued a statement affirming support for Israeli control of the territory, citing national defence considerations. The recognition came days after de la Espriella took office and positions Colombia alongside the United States as the only nations acknowledging Israel’s claim to the disputed region.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar characterised the move as historic and expressed gratitude to de la Espriella, noting that the two officials had discussed the matter in Barranquilla prior to the president’s inauguration. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and formally annexed the territory in 1981, an action rejected by most of the international community. The United States became the first country to formally recognise the annexation in 2019 during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The United Nations maintains that the Golan Heights remain part of Syria and views Israeli occupation as unacceptable. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated this position last month. Syria previously attempted to reclaim the territory during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war but ultimately signed an armistice agreement in 1974.
De la Espriella’s government has signalled a significant shift in Colombia’s Middle East policy compared to his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. Petro had criticised Israeli military operations in Gaza, ended diplomatic relations with Israel, and halted arms imports from the country. De la Espriella, a US-backed millionaire, campaigned on strengthening ties with the United States and Israel as part of his strategy to address armed groups within Colombia. He has also cancelled plans to open a Colombian embassy in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
The timing of Colombia’s recognition coincides with expanded Israeli military activity in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. Israel has positioned troops within UN-monitored buffer zones and taken control of strategic Syrian territories, including Mount Hermon.
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