Published on 6/25/2026
The right-wing candidate, Abelardo de la Spirrilla, who won the presidential elections in Colombia, pledged to strengthen relations with Israel “in an unprecedented way,” following the announcement by the National Electoral Council of Colombia, today, Thursday, of his inauguration as the country’s elected president.
The head of the National Election Council, Christian Queiroz, said during the announcement ceremony that the counting of votes for the second round of the presidential elections that took place on June 21 had been completed.
In turn, the designated registrar responsible for elections, Jaime Hernando Suarez, officially announced the election of de la Spiria as President of Colombia for the period 2026-2030.
In the second round of the presidential elections, de la Spiria, the candidate of the right-wing Patriotic Defenders Movement, received 49.66% of the votes, while his leftist competitor Ivan Cepeda, the candidate of the ruling Historical Pact Alliance, received 48.70%. He is scheduled to take over his duties from the current (outgoing) President Gustavo Petro on August 7.
A new stage in relationships
A statement issued by De La Spiria’s media office confirmed that “Israel is a loyal friend and steadfast ally of Colombia, indicating that relations between them will enter a new phase.”
The statement said, “The new relationship with Israel will be based on political trust, strategic cooperation, defense of democracy, security, innovation, and taking a clear position in the face of threats facing free nations. Relations with Israel will be strengthened in an unprecedented way.”
De La Spiria pledged, during his meeting with representatives of the Jewish community during his election campaign, that if he won, he would move the Colombian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and his country would be a loyal ally of Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also made a phone call with De La Spiria following his victory in the presidential elections, according to the unofficial results.
On May 3, 2024, Petro announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel, against the backdrop of the genocide committed by Tel Aviv against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Petro stressed that his country would not be a partner in genocide, and on August 31, 2025, he completely banned the export of coal to Israel.
