Israel and Colombia will waive advance visa requirements for travellers from 1 September as the two countries move to restore diplomatic and economic relations following years of tensions over the war in Gaza.
“Both countries have agreed to mutually waive the visa requirement starting September 1,” the Israeli Embassy said on Thursday following talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Colombian counterpart Omar Bula Escobar.
Colombians travelling to Israel and Israelis travelling to Colombia will no longer need to obtain visas in advance, although other immigration and entry requirements will remain in place.
The measure is part of a broader roadmap agreed in July to fully restore relations between the two countries, including the appointment of ambassadors and plans to reopen Colombia’s embassy in Jerusalem.
Colombia severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 under former President Gustavo Petro, who strongly criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Visa requirements were subsequently reinstated in 2025, first by Israel and then reciprocally by Colombia.
Relations have shifted significantly since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office. Before his inauguration, he pledged to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and withdraw Colombia’s intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Bogotá has since recognised Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, a move condemned by Syria and other countries in the region. Most of the international community considers the territory occupied Syrian land.
The two governments have also established a Colombia-Israel Binational Economic Commission, while an official Colombian delegation is expected to visit Israel in October.
The visa agreement marks another step towards normalising ties after more than two years of diplomatic tensions.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
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