Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Colombia to condemn Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and the government's decision to open an embassy in West Jerusalem, marking a major shift in the country's foreign policy.
In the capital, Bogota, hundreds of students, social movement activists and other demonstrators marched through the streets waving Palestinian flags and denouncing President Abelardo de la Espriella's decision to restore diplomatic relations with Israel.
The demonstrations were part of a nationwide mobilisation against the conservative president's foreign and domestic policies, particularly his efforts to strengthen ties with Israel.
Protesters carried banners reading "We are not your backyard" and chanted slogans including "Zionists out, Abelardo out."
The protests coincided with the official opening of Colombia's embassy in West Jerusalem on Wednesday, reversing the previous administration's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Israel.
De la Espriella, who took office in August, restored ties that former President Gustavo Petro had cut in 2024 over Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.
His administration also reinstated a free trade agreement with Israel that had been suspended under Petro.
Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula attended the embassy's inauguration ceremony in West Jerusalem, describing the move as a step towards strengthening bilateral relations.
Bula said diplomatic relations between the two countries "should never have been broken."
"Israel is a strategic partner. It always has been, and from now on, it will be an even stronger one," he said.
The embassy opening represented "a concrete step towards fully restoring bilateral relations," he added.
Palestinian officials condemned the inauguration, warning that the decision undermined international law and damaged Colombia's longstanding diplomatic position on the Palestinian cause.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also condemned the move, calling it a “blatant violation of international law and relevant international resolutions.”
