Colombia has recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.
In a statement released on X/Twitter, the ministry stated that it recognizes Israeli control over the area as “an essential component of its national defense and its ability to protect and safeguard its citizens."
The recognition resulted from a commitment made by both Israel and Colombia on Saturday, the ministry said.
In its declaration, Bogota became only the second UN member state to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the territory captured from Syria in 1967 and effectively annexed by Israel in 1981, after the United States recognized Israeli sovereignty in 2019 during US President Donald Trump’s first term in office.
Gideon Sa'ar: Colombia demonstrated 'commitment to Israel' in declaration
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanked Colombian President Álvaro de la Espriella for the move and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bola Escobar for his cooperation on the matter.
"Israel is a small country without strategic depth. Defensible borders are essential to ensure the continued existence of the Jewish people in their historic homeland," the foreign minister wrote on his social media accounts.
"I will continue working to see more countries join the United States, under President Trump’s leadership, and Colombia, under President de la Espriella’s leadership, in recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, to which Israeli law was extended 45 years ago."
Sa’ar also praised the recognition as a show of the newly-elected Espriella’s leadership, values, and commitment to Israel, coming in the wake of the foreign minister’s recent visit to South America.
Golan Regional Council Head Ori Kallner congratulated Colombia on the recognition and expressed gratitude for Sa’ar’s efforts to advance the move.
Kallner described the recognition as “right and just from a moral, diplomatic, and strategic standpoint,” vowing to continue working to strengthen the Golan Heights’s standing in the international arena.
Colombia's recent push to strengthen Bogota-Jerusalem ties
The declaration is the latest move in Bogota’s recent push to strengthen ties with Jerusalem.
In July, Colombia ordered the full restoration of diplomatic relations, immediate appointment of ambassadors, and relocation of Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem.
Colombia also withdrew from South Africa’s International Court of Justice lawsuit against Israel, in which South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The renewal of ties with Colombia is part of Sa’ar’s broader initiative to improve relations with South American countries, with the Foreign Ministry designating 2026 as the “Year of Latin America.”
Tal Spungin contributed to this report.