Colombia Recognizes Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights, Drawing Regional Condemnation

Bogotá becomes the second nation to follow the U.S. in recognizing Israeli claims, sparking a diplomatic backlash from Syria and Saudi Arabia.

BOGOTÁ — In a significant shift in its foreign policy, Colombia has officially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The move makes the South American nation only the second country in the world—following the United States—to formally acknowledge Israel’s claim to the strategic plateau. The decision has drawn immediate and sharp criticism from the international community, particularly from Syria, which maintains that the territory is an illegally occupied part of its sovereign land. Syria was joined by Saudi Arabia in condemning the move, calling it a violation of internat…