Colombia recognizes Israel's claim to the Golan Heights

Colombia's new right-wing government on August 10 recognized Israel's claim to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967, Al Arabiya reported.

Until now, the United States was the only country to recognize Israel's 1981 annexation of the territory. Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, took office on August 7. During his election campaign, he promised to build closer ties with the United States and Israel to combat armed groups in his country.

The country's Foreign Ministry announced the decision on the day a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing at least 111 people and injuring dozens.

A statement on X-Net said: “The Colombian government recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over the territory, as well as the right of that state to defend itself against external threats.”

It added: “Colombia recognizes that Israel’s maintenance of control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights is an essential component of its national defense.”

The United Nations considers the mountainous region to be Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar thanked his “esteemed friend” De la Espriella for the recognition.

He said the two sides had reached an agreement on the decision in Barranquilla, Colombia, the day before De la Espriella’s inauguration.

Saar, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, wrote on X-Net: “Defended borders are essential to ensuring the existence of the Jewish people in their historic homeland.”

In July, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that the Golan Heights are part of Syria and described the Israeli occupation as “totally unacceptable.”

De la Espriella’s predecessor, leftist President Gustavo Petro, had strongly criticized Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip and had severed diplomatic relations and halted Israeli arms imports to Colombia. The current president, a billionaire with US backing, has promised to restore ties.

In July, he said he planned to open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. Israel considers Jerusalem, including the occupied Palestinian territory, to be its capital. However, this is not recognized internationally, and most countries maintain their diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv.