Colombian President Gustavo Petro has directed the opening of an embassy in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, marking a significant step in his foreign policy to acknowledge a Palestinian state. This initiative aligns with previous recognitions of Palestine by Colombia, notably under former President Juan Manuel Santos. The decision was announced by Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo and coincides with similar recognitions by Spain, Ireland, and Norway. It also follows Colombia’s recent decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza, despite condemning Hamas’ aggressions and clarifying that the embassy move supports a two-state solution rather than opposing Israel.
Murillo emphasized that the establishment of the embassy in Ramallah reflects Colombia’s support for the United Nations’ vision of a two-state solution as outlined in the Oslo Accords. This move is intended to bolster Palestine’s recognition as a full state, contributing to international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the timeline and specific steps for opening the embassy remain unclear, the announcement underscores Colombia’s commitment to fostering diplomatic relations with Palestine and supporting broader international recognition. CNN has sought comments from the Israeli embassy in Colombia regarding this development.
