De la Espriella completes his first month with a full reversal of Petro's diplomacy

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella marked the beginning of his first month in office on a diplomatic policy reversal, aligning more closely with the United States and Israel. On August 10, he recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a decision that sparked Syria's "categorical rejection". This move made Colombia the second nation to do so, following the United States in 2019.

The foreign ministry justified the recognition by citing the region's instability and the strategic importance of the territory for Israel's defense. De la Espriella also restored diplomatic relations with Israel, which were severed under his predecessor, and recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. In the military realm, the United States authorized Colombia to conduct operations on its territory.

De la Espriella joined the Shield of the Americas initiative, a counter-narcotics effort promoted by Donald Trump, and is set to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Colombia has indicated it will withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese investment programme Petro had committed to joining. Despite sharing a border with Venezuela, Colombia's relations with the South American nation will be managed through the US State Department.

International affairs specialists have cautioned about the potential consequences of these diplomatic shifts, warning that they might alienate Colombia at the United Nations.