Colombia's Foreign Ministry issued an official statement on Monday (August 11), confirming the country's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Syria's Golan Heights. This move makes Colombia the second nation, after the United States, to recognize Israel's annexation of the territory since 1981.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said: "The Colombian government recognizes Israel's sovereignty over this territory, as well as that nation's right to self-defense against external threats. Colombia confirms that maintaining Israel's control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights is an essential component of Israel's defense."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar thanked his friend, President de la Espriella, for the "historic" recognition. Saar said the two sides had agreed on the move in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, one day before the new president's inauguration.
Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed the territory in 1981. This move was rejected by the international community, although the U.S. formally recognized Israel's claim in 2019 under President Donald Trump.
The United Nations still considers the area to be part of Syria. Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated this stance, describing Israel's occupation as "completely unacceptable." Syria attempted to recapture the Golan during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war but failed. The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1974, and the area has remained relatively quiet since.
Colombia's recognition of Israel's claim comes as Israel expands its military presence in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024. Israel has sent troops into the UN-monitored buffer zone and seized strategic areas, including the Syrian side of Mount Jabal al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon), which overlooks the capital Damascus.
President de la Espriella, a U.S.-backed millionaire, pledged during his campaign to tighten ties with the U.S. and Israel to combat armed groups in Colombia. He also promised to restore relations with Israel after his predecessor Gustavo Petro criticized Israel's military campaign in Gaza, cut diplomatic ties, and halted arms imports from Israel. Additionally, the new president canceled Petro's plan to open an embassy in Ramallah in the West Bank.
