Colombia has recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, according to a statement published by the country's Foreign Ministry on Monday. The announcement makes Colombia the second country, after the United States, to formally recognise Israel's claim to the territory, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981.
Colombia Becomes Second Country to Recognise Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights
Colombia has recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, according to a statement published by the country's Foreign Ministry on Monday. The announcement makes Colombia the second country, after the United States, to formally recognise Israel's claim to the territory, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry's statement said the government recognises 'Israeli sovereignty over this territory, as well as that State's right to protect itself against external threats,' and described Israeli control of the Golan Heights as 'an essential component of its national defence.'
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that he and Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella had agreed on the recognition in the Colombian city of Barranquilla the day before de la Espriella's inauguration. Saar referred to the move as 'historic.'
Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed the territory in 1981. That annexation was rejected by most of the international community. The United States recognised Israel's claim in 2019, during President Donald Trump's first term. The United Nations considers the territory part of Syria, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reportedly described Israeli occupation of the area as 'totally unacceptable' last month.
Syria attempted to retake the Golan Heights during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war but did not succeed. An armistice between Israel and Syria was signed in 1974. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024, Israel moved troops into a UN-monitored buffer zone and seized additional Syrian territories, including the Syrian side of Jabal al-Sheikh, which overlooks Damascus.
De la Espriella, who was sworn in as Colombia's president recently, ran on a platform that included closer ties with the United States and Israel. His predecessor, Gustavo Petro, had severed diplomatic relations with Israel, halted Israeli arms imports, and initiated plans to open a Colombian embassy in Ramallah. De la Espriella has cancelled those embassy plans.
- The source does not establish the exact date of de la Espriella's inauguration or the date the Barranquilla meeting took place.
- The source does not establish whether Colombia consulted or notified Syria, the United Nations, or other international bodies before making the announcement.
- The source does not establish what, if any, practical or diplomatic consequences Colombia's recognition will have.
- The source does not establish the specific nature of the armed groups de la Espriella cited as a reason for seeking closer ties with Israel and the United States.
- The source does not establish whether any other countries are considering similar recognition.
- The source does not include any response from the Syrian government or the United Nations to Colombia's announcement.
- The source does not define the precise boundaries of the territory Colombia is recognising as Israeli.
Read the original at Al Jazeera English