Israel and Colombia return to dialogue
Colombia's new right-wing president Abelardo de la Espriella has revoked the 2024 decree banning coal exports to Israel, resuming bilateral dialogue and energy supplies. A mutual visa-free regime was previously announced to take effect on September 1.
Colombia's new president Abelardo de la Espriella, representing right-wing forces, has revoked his predecessor's 2024 decree that imposed a complete ban on Colombian coal exports to Israel. This move marks a return of bilateral relations to a constructive course and the resumption of energy supplies to the Israeli market. It was previously reported that a mutual visa-free regime between the countries will come into effect on September 1, canceling visa requirements imposed by the previous Colombian government. The agreement resulted from negotiations between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and the new Colombian leadership, including a meeting with the president. The rapprochement is also accompanied by the relocation of the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem and humanitarian aid from Israel following a recent earthquake. The visa cancellation reflects a general warming of Israel's relations with Latin American countries, where pro-Western leaders are coming to power.