Colombia's 47-Year-Old Far-Right Frontrunner Vows to Restore Israel Ties Before May 31 Vote
Updated
Updated · The New Arab · May 26
Colombia's 47-Year-Old Far-Right Frontrunner Vows to Restore Israel Ties Before May 31 Vote
1 articles · Updated · The New Arab · May 26
Abelardo de la Espriella has surged ahead of Colombia’s May 31 first-round presidential vote, campaigning on restoring diplomatic ties with Israel and reversing President Gustavo Petro’s pro-Palestine policy.
The 47-year-old candidate has paired that foreign-policy shift with a hardline security platform, pledging to end peace talks with leftist armed groups and treat them strictly as criminal organizations.
His rise would mark a sharp break from Petro, who severed relations with Israel, expelled remaining Israeli diplomats in October 2025 and formally embedded support for Palestine across the government.
That reversal could also pull Colombia away from the Hague Group, the eight-nation bloc co-chaired by Bogotá since January 2025 to coordinate legal and diplomatic action over Israel’s conduct.
With a candidate vowing to exit the UN, is this election a referendum on global cooperation itself?
Is Colombia's election the final domino that will topple Latin America's solidarity with Palestine?
Will a pro-Israel shift fix Colombia's internal wars or ignite new conflicts on the world stage?
Colombia’s 2026 Election: A Pivotal Referendum on Petro’s Legacy, Security, and the Nation’s Israel Policy
Overview
Colombia’s 2026 presidential election marks a pivotal moment for the country, as voters face a highly polarized choice that will shape both domestic policy and Colombia’s role on the world stage. The election is seen as a referendum on the leftist reforms of outgoing President Gustavo Petro and the nation’s future direction. Central to the campaign is a heated debate over foreign policy, reflecting broader questions about Colombia’s international alliances and its stance on key global issues. The outcome will not only redefine the political landscape but also determine how Colombia aligns itself internationally in a rapidly changing region.