Colombia’s new government announced Friday the creation of a bilateral economic commission with Israel and plans for an official visit in a move that comes after the Latin American country’s previous administration severed ties two years ago over the genocide in Gaza, Anadolu reports.
Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo said on US social media platform X that the initiative, agreed hours before then-President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella took office, includes the Colombia-Israel Binational Economic Commission and a planned visit by a Colombian delegation in October.
The government said the new mechanism would “open new doors for investment, technology, innovation and Colombian talent,” he added.
The planned official visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, innovation, digital technologies and investment through the newly created Colombia-Israel Binational Economic Commission.
Colombia’s government under then-President Gustavo Petro had severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 after months of tensions, with Petro saying he could not maintain ties with a genocidal government.
