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Colombia has recognised Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, joining the United States as the only other country to formally recognise Israel's annexation of the territory, days after far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.
In a statement issued on Monday, Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was taken against the backdrop of continued instability in the Middle East and what it described as the strategic importance of the Golan Heights to Israel's security. "Given the persistent regional instability in the Middle East and considering the strategic importance of the Golan Heights for Israel's security, the Government of Colombia recognises Israeli sovereignty over this territory, as well as the right of that State to protect itself against external threats," the ministry said. Bogota also cited Israel's longstanding security concerns, pointing to what it described as "persistent and existential security challenges" along the country's borders. "These threats have intensified significantly in recent years, culminating in the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7, which underscored the gravity and evolving nature of the dangers facing the Israeli people," the Colombian Foreign Ministry added. The ministry said that, in the context of regional security, Colombia considers Israel's control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights to be important to its national defence. "In this regional security context, Colombia recognises that maintaining Israel's control and sovereignty over the Golan Heights is an essential component of its national defence and its ability to protect and safeguard its citizens," it said. Colombia said the move was also intended to reaffirm its commitment to pursuing a "stable and lasting peace in the Middle East". "With this decision, Colombia reaffirms its commitment to the search for a stable and lasting peace in the Middle East," the statement said. The ministry added that the announcement was made in accordance with a commitment reached between Colombia and Israel on August 8. Israel seized most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and formally annexed the territory in 1981. The annexation was rejected by most of the international community. The United States recognised Israel's claim to the territory in 2019, during Donald Trump's first term as president. Colombia's decision now places it alongside Washington as the only two countries to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The United Nations, however, continues to regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that position last month, describing Israel's occupation of the territory as "totally unacceptable". Syria attempted to regain the Golan Heights during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war but failed to retake the territory. The two countries subsequently signed an armistice agreement in 1974. (ANI)
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