Colombia recognizes Israel's claim to Golan Heights

A South American nation has become only the second country worldwide to formally recognise Israel’s claims over the territory that Israel annexed in contravention of international law. The diplomatic move follows a similar recognition by the United States earlier this year and marks a notable shift in the region’s stance on the disputed area, which the United Nations and the majority of the international community continue to deem illegal.

The decision was announced by the foreign ministry in a statement that emphasized bilateral cooperation and strategic alignment with Israel, while reaffirming the nation’s sovereign right to determine its foreign policy. Critics have warned that the recognition could complicate the country’s relations with Arab and Muslim-majority states, as well as with multilateral bodies that have repeatedly called for a negotiated settlement based on pre‑1967 borders. The development adds another layer to the ongoing diplomatic contest over the annexed territory, underscoring the divergent approaches nations are taking amid a broader geopolitical realignment.