Colombia’s new hard-right government on Monday recognized Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights, according to a report published on August 11, 2026. The Foreign Ministry announced the decision after President Abelardo de la Espriella took office on Friday. In a statement, the government said it recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the territory and its right to self-defense against external enemies.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and annexed the area in 1981. Until Colombia’s announcement, the United States had been the only country to recognize the annexation. The United Nations considers the Golan Heights Syrian territory under Israeli military occupation. Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres again said the territory was part of Syria and described the Israeli occupation as completely unacceptable.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar thanked Colombia’s president for the recognition, calling him a good friend. Saar said the two had reached an understanding on the issue the day before Espriella’s inauguration in Barranquilla. During his campaign, Espriella pledged closer ties with the United States and Israel. His left-wing predecessor, Gustavo Petro, had criticized Israel’s military operation in Gaza, severed diplomatic relations with Israel, and stopped imports of Israeli weapons into Colombia.