Colombia formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights on Monday, becoming only the second country after the United States to endorse Israel's claim to the disputed territory.
The announcement by Bogotá's foreign ministry came days after Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as president, following an agreement reached in Barranquilla on the eve of his inauguration. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar thanked his Colombian counterpart, calling him a "good friend." De la Espriella had previously signaled his intent to open a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem.
Israel captured most of the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981. The United States recognized the territory as Israeli in 2019 under Donald Trump. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that the Golan remains Syrian land, calling the occupation "totally unacceptable." The world body has maintained since 1974 a peacekeeping force along the ceasefire line.