Foreign Relations

Colombia Swears In de la Espriella in Cali With Sa'ar Representing Israel

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of a bearded man in a dark suit wearing the yellow, blue and red Colombian presidential sash standing at left and taking a small gold ceremonial baton from a second man in a dark suit at right, before a deep blue ceremonial backdrop, rendered in warm ochre and slate-blue chalk strokes on textured paper.

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's president on Friday in Cali, breaking with the tradition of a Bogota ceremony, and received the ceremonial staff from Senate President Honorio Henriquez. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar represented Israel at the inauguration, a day after meeting him in Barranquilla. Sa'ar called him a great friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and said the golden age in relations between Colombia and Israel begins today. The sides agreed to restore full diplomatic relations, appoint ambassadors, lift visa requirements, move Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem and drop Colombia's intervention in South Africa's ICJ case. Gustavo Petro severed relations in 2024.

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