Israel is mounting an increasingly assertive diplomatic campaign across Latin America, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's latest swing through Ecuador and Colombia highlighting Jerusalem's effort to cultivate friendly governments as relations with parts of Western Europe grow increasingly strained.
Sa'ar arrived in Colombia for Friday's inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella, whose government is moving quickly to reverse the sharply anti-Israel policies of former President Gustavo Petro.
The foreign minister met Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, and senior members of the new government, including the ministers of defense, finance, justice, trade, and environment.
The talks focused on converting the renewed diplomatic relationship into cooperation in security, trade, and other areas.
"Not only will we rebuild our ties, but we will take them to new heights," Sa'ar said.
Petro severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2024 after accusing the Jewish state of "genocide" in Gaza.
His government also restricted longstanding defense cooperation and banned Colombian coal exports to Israel.
De la Espriella is charting the opposite course.
His government has pledged to restore full diplomatic relations, resume coal exports, eliminate visa requirements and relocate Colombia's Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Bogotá also plans to reverse its participation in international initiatives targeting Israel, including withdrawing support for South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
"The golden age in relations between Colombia and Israel begins today," Sa'ar declared ahead of the inauguration.
Colombia was the second stop on a South American tour reflecting Sa'ar's designation of 2026 as a year of strategic focus on Latin America.
In Ecuador, he became the first Israeli foreign minister to make an official visit in 44 years.
Israel and Ecuador signed a memorandum on counterterrorism cooperation while discussing expanded ties in trade, innovation, and agriculture.
The outreach is part of a wider regional opportunity for Israel.
Argentina, under President Javier Milei, has emerged as one of Israel's most enthusiastic partners.
Milei, who made his third presidential visit to Israel in April, has described the relationship as a "moral, spiritual, and political" union.
Argentina and Israel also launched the "Isaac Accords," a proposed framework for cooperation among like-minded Western Hemisphere nations against terrorism, antisemitism, and organized crime.
El Salvador's Nayib Bukele is another prominent regional leader who has maintained friendly relations with Israel, while a broader political shift across Latin America is opening diplomatic opportunities for Jerusalem.
Those gains carry added significance as Israel faces growing pressure in Western Europe and Jewish communities confront persistently high levels of antisemitism.
Britain recorded 3,700 antisemitic incidents in 2025, its second-highest annual total, while Germany recorded 8,725 incidents, more than three times the 2022 level. France recorded 1,320 antisemitic acts in 2025.
Sa'ar has simultaneously worked to strengthen relationships with more Israel-friendly governments in Eastern Europe, including outreach efforts in Serbia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
Serbia and Israel launched their first strategic dialogue this year, with Serbian officials describing Israel as a reliable partner and calling for deeper political, economic, and strategic cooperation.
Sa'ar has also pursued closer engagement with Bulgaria, whose government has described its relationship with Israel as strategic.
The emerging strategy is clear: rather than allow Israel's opponents to define its diplomatic standing, Jerusalem is broadening its network of partners in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.
"Through determined and systematic diplomatic efforts, we have succeeded in strengthening and renewing Israel's relations with many countries across Latin America," Sa'ar said as he began the trip. "We are continuing our effort to bring Latin America closer to Israel."
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