Colombia Appoints First Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority

Colombia has officially appointed its first-ever ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, marking a significant diplomatic shift following the severing of ties with Israel a year ago. The newly appointed ambassador, Jorge Iván Ospina, is the former mayor of Cali and a close ally of President Gustavo Petro, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza since the war began.

President Petro has repeatedly compared the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza to Nazi crimes, and in May 2024, he announced the termination of diplomatic relations with Israel. Shortly thereafter, Colombia confirmed plans to open an embassy in Ramallah.

In an interview with the French news agency AFP, Jorge Iván Ospina said it is still unclear whether he will carry out his duties directly from Ramallah or from a neighboring country. “We will need to discuss with Israel and determine the necessary steps to open the Colombian embassy in Ramallah. We recognize that the State of Palestine and the State of Israel must coexist,” he stated.

This move is part of a broader trend among several Latin American countries expressing support for the Palestinian cause and criticizing Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict.