{
  "id": 14428633,
  "title": "Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, restores free trade deal with Israel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/colombia-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-restores-free-trade-deal-with-14428633",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T10:49:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40444184/colombia-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-restores-free-trade-deal-with-israel"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Colombian government has announced the opening of its embassy in Jerusalem, marking the country as the tenth nation to establish such a presence. This move comes as the new President Abelardo de la Espriella has reversed his predecessor's policy of breaking diplomatic ties with Israel. Additionally, the restoration of a free trade agreement between Colombia and Israel has been confirmed.\n\nMost countries continue to maintain their embassies for Israel in Tel Aviv, but Israel views Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians consider East Jerusalem to be the capital of their future independent state. The significance of Jerusalem's status remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\n\nFormer President Gustavo Petro broke diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 over its actions in Gaza and criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He closed Colombia's embassy in Tel Aviv and recalled its ambassador, an action that Israel deemed antisemitic and a reward for Hamas. De la Espriella, a right-wing president, assumed office in August.\n\nOn Tuesday, the terminated free trade agreement was reinstated. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed his gratitude, stating that in just two months, they have rectified most of the adverse consequences of the Petro administration for Israel-Colombia relations and even achieved new milestones. Saar praised de la Espriella's determination to elevate the relationship to unprecedented heights.\n\nColombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Omar Bula Escobar attended the embassy opening in Jerusalem. Several nations have relocated their embassies to Jerusalem following the United States' lead in 2018, including Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, and Somaliland.",
  "summary": "JERUSALEM: Colombia opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, becoming the 10th country to do so, as new President Abelardo de la Espriella reversed his predecessor’s break with Israel by also restoring a free trade agreement between the two countries. Most countries maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv. Israel regards Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem in shift on Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/colombia-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-in-shift-on-israel",
        "published": "2026-10-14T09:18:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "US Embassy in Israel issues safety warning about unexploded ordnances after school trip explosion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/us-embassy-in-israel-issues-safety-warning-about-unexploded-ordnances",
        "published": "2026-10-14T09:28:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, restores free trade deal with Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/colombia-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-restores-free-trade-deal-with",
        "published": "2026-10-14T10:46:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem, becoming tenth country to do so",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/colombia-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-becoming-tenth-country-to-do-so",
        "published": "2026-10-14T12:01:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem and restores free trade with Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/colombia-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-and-restores-free-trade-with",
        "published": "2026-10-14T12:28:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia condemns Colombia's opening of embassy in occupied Jerusalem",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/saudi-arabia-condemns-colombias-opening-of-embassy-in-occupied",
        "published": "2026-10-14T12:54:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}