Colombia’s government officially acknowledges Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
In a significant geopolitical development, Colombia has made a momentous move by recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory that holds both strategic and historical importance. This declaration follows the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who indicated a shift in foreign policy aimed at strengthening ties with Israel and the United States, aligning Colombia more closely with these nations’ perspectives on regional security challenges. Such actions underscore the ongoing complexities in Middle Eastern politics and reflect the interactions of global powers in response to territorial disputes.
Colombia has formally recognized Israel’s claim of sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, becoming only the second nation to do so since the United States acknowledged the Israeli annexation of the territory in 1981. This announcement was made by Colombia’s Foreign Ministry shortly after the inauguration of far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella.
In a statement released via social media, the Colombian government expressed its endorsement, stating, “The Government of Colombia recognizes Israeli sovereignty over this territory, as well as that State’s right to protect itself against external threats.” The assertion added that maintaining Israel’s control over the Golan Heights is crucial for its national defense.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed gratitude to the newly appointed Colombian president, referring to the recognition as “historic.” The two leaders had reportedly solidified this agreement during a meeting in Barranquilla just one day before De la Espriella took office.
The Golan Heights has been a point of contention since Israel captured most of the territory during the 1967 Six-Day War and subsequently annexed it in 1981—a move that was largely met with international condemnation. Nonetheless, the U.S. formally recognized Israel’s ownership of the Golan Heights in 2019 under President Donald Trump, diverging from the broader international consensus that views the region as part of Syria, a stance reaffirmed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Historically, Syria attempted to regain control of the Golan Heights during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war but was unsuccessful. An armistice was signed in 1974, and the region has since remained relatively peaceful.
Colombia’s endorsement of Israeli claims surfaces amidst escalating Israeli military activities in Syria, following the political upheaval in the region and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. Recent reports indicate that Israeli forces have been deployed to a United Nations-monitored buffer zone and have taken control of strategic territories, including significant areas overlooking Damascus.
In his campaign, President De la Espriella emphasized a robust partnership with the U.S. and Israel as part of his strategy to combat domestic armed groups. He has vowed to deepen ties with Israel following a period during which his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, openly criticized Israeli military actions in Gaza, severed diplomatic relations, and ceased arms imports from Israel. Additionally, De la Espriella has reversed plans to open an embassy in Ramallah, further aligning Colombia with Israel.
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