Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights
Colombia's far-right president Abelardo de la Espriella recognised Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights on Monday.
“The Government of Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over this territory, as well as that State’s right to protect itself against external threats,” read an online statement.
It added that, “Colombia recognises that maintaining Israel’s control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights is an essential component of its national defence.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar thanked his “good friend” de la Espriella for the “historic” recognition on Sunday.
The Golan Heights is a Syrian territory occupied by Israel since Syria's defeat in the 1967 war against Israel.
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Only one other country, the US, recognised Israel's claim of sovereignty over the territory.
The Syrian foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it "categorically rejects and condemns" Colombia's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights and said that the area "is an inseparable part of [Syrian] territory".
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said that Colombia's position “contradicts international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions”.
The Saudi foreign ministry said the Gulf kingdom's firm position is that the Golan “is occupied Syrian Arab land”, and that any measures aimed at changing its status “do not create a right or confer legitimacy”.
President de la Espriella, who was inaugurated last week, has vouched to reverse the policies of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.
Petro was an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause and loudly condemned Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, which began in October 2023.
Under Petro, Colombia was a co-chair and co-founder of the Hague Group, a collection of countries working to hold Israel to account for its treatment of Palestinians under international law.
Bogota withdrew its ambassador from Israel after the genocide began and also halted coal exports to the state.
De la Espriella's election to the presidency has been welcomed in Israel, which is enjoying a wave of elections of pro-Israel candidates across Latin America.
Bolivia resumed cordial relations with Israel after the election of conservative candidate President Rodrigo Paz in 2025.
In Chile, Jose Antonio Kast, another supporter of Israel, took power in March 2026.
Israel's most vocal ally, is Argentina's President Javier Milei, who has said, "'If Israel falls, all of the West is next."
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