New Israeli Ambassador to Colombia Vows to Rebuild Ties Amid Earthquake Rescue Mission

In a recent i24NEWS report, Israel's newly appointed Ambassador to Colombia, Vivian Aisen, sat down for her first major interview since arriving in Bogota, outlining a bold agenda for resetting bilateral ties after years of diplomatic deep-freeze. Speaking just two days after beginning her post at the Israeli Embassy, Aisen struck a tone of cautious optimism, acknowledging both the warmth she has received from Colombians and the significant challenges posed by lingering anti-Israel narratives.

New Israeli Ambassador to Colombia Vows to Rebuild Ties, Combat 'Malicious Narratives' Amid Earthquake Rescue Mission

Jerusalem, Israel – August 2026 — Vivian Aisen, Israel's new ambassador to Colombia, has arrived in Bogota at a pivotal moment, tasked with mending a fractured relationship while a joint Israeli-Colombian humanitarian operation continues to save lives in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake. In her first interview since assuming the post, Aisen told i24NEWS that she can already "feel the warmth of the Colombian people," adding, "I can feel that they are really looking forward to enhancing the relations between our countries, and we are going to work for that." Her arrival marks the beginning of what Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has called a "golden age" in bilateral relations, following the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella on August 7.

On the Ground in Colombia: The Earthquake Rescue Mission

The backdrop to Aisen's diplomatic debut is a national tragedy. Colombia is still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the department of Choco on August 10, killing at least 321 people, injuring more than 4,600, and leaving 257 missing. For the past week, an Israeli humanitarian delegation has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Colombian rescue forces, employing advanced technology to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed structures.

According to the IDF, Israeli teams successfully located and rescued all missing individuals at the sites where they operated, a remarkable feat given the scale of the destruction. The delegation has also surveyed dozens of damaged buildings, and their structural assessments have allowed more than 250 families to safely return to their homes. Aisen explained that the initial search-and-rescue phase is nearing completion, and the mission's focus has now shifted to inspecting residential buildings, hospitals, and schools. She confirmed that this stage is expected to conclude on Sunday, just as the delegation prepares to return home.

"They bring technologies and expertise that don't exist here in Colombia," Aisen told i24NEWS, highlighting the use of drones and specialized equipment designed to detect human presence inside collapsed buildings. This technological edge, honed through years of responding to earthquakes and conflict zones in Israel and abroad, has proven invaluable in Choco. The Israeli delegation's work is not just a humanitarian gesture; it is a tangible demonstration of the value Israel can bring to the partnership, a point Aisen was keen to emphasize as she begins her tenure.

Rebuilding Ties After the Petro Years

Aisen's mission is complicated by the recent history of the bilateral relationship. Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 over the war in Gaza, a decision that plunged the relationship into its deepest crisis in decades. Petro's government also prohibited coal exports to Israel and threatened to terminate the bilateral free trade agreement, casting a long shadow over economic cooperation. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on August 7, has moved with remarkable speed to reverse course.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar traveled to Colombia for de la Espriella's inauguration, meeting with the new president in Barranquilla on August 6. In that meeting, the two leaders discussed strengthening diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation, with Sa'ar declaring the start of a "golden age" in ties. The symbolism was not lost on observers in Jerusalem: a senior Israeli official on the ground in Colombia within days of a new administration taking power signals a strategic priority for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which views Latin America as a key arena for expanding Israel's diplomatic footprint.

For Aisen, the immediate priorities are clear and concrete. She identified three primary goals: lifting visa requirements, restoring Colombian coal exports to Israel, and safeguarding the free trade agreement. The visa requirement for Israeli and Colombian travelers will be lifted beginning September 1, a move expected to boost tourism significantly. Tens of thousands of Israelis visit Colombia each year, drawn to its natural beauty and vibrant culture, and the removal of this bureaucratic hurdle is seen as a low-hanging fruit in the relationship's rehabilitation.

Economic Cooperation: Coal, Trade, and the 'Golden Age'

The economic dimension of the relationship is where the restoration of ties will be most visibly tested. The previous Colombian government's prohibition on coal exports to Israel was lifted during de la Espriella's first week in office, a decisive early signal of his administration's intent. Coal has historically been a significant component of Colombian exports to Israel, and its resumption is a welcome development for Israeli industry. Aisen confirmed that the restriction has been lifted, and she expressed confidence that trade volumes will recover quickly.

The bilateral free trade agreement, signed in 2013 and implemented in 2020, came under direct threat during the Petro administration. Petro declared his intent to terminate the agreement, but the Colombian Congress never completed the process, leaving the treaty technically intact. "The trade agreement is still very much in place," Aisen asserted, though she acknowledged that talks are needed on expanding the range of products covered and lowering tariffs further. This is a nuanced diplomatic position: while the agreement survived, its full potential remains unrealized, and Aisen's task is to deepen it in a way that benefits both economies.

The timing is favorable. De la Espriella's administration has signaled a pro-business orientation, a stark contrast to Petro's leftist populism. Israeli companies in sectors ranging from agriculture technology to cybersecurity are watching closely, and Aisen's embassy is expected to play a central role in facilitating new commercial partnerships. The lifting of visa requirements on September 1 will also facilitate business travel, making it easier for Israeli entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in Bogota, Medellin, and beyond.

Diplomatic and International Reactions

The international community has taken note of the rapid rapprochement. In Washington, the Biden administration has welcomed the restoration of ties between two key allies in the region, viewing it as a stabilizing factor in Latin America. European Union officials have also expressed support, though they have urged both sides to maintain a focus on humanitarian concerns in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry, for its part, has framed the relationship with Colombia as a model for how Israel seeks to engage with Latin American nations: pragmatic, technology-driven, and rooted in shared interests.

However, the diplomatic reset is not without its critics. Left-leaning factions within Colombia, still loyal to Petro's vision, have accused de la Espriella of capitulating to Israeli pressure. Aisen is acutely aware of this political friction. "One of the main challenges is the narratives that still exist here in this country," she told i24NEWS, directly addressing the legacy of Petro's rhetoric. She accused the former president of promoting false claims about Israel following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent Gaza war, narratives that were amplified through social media and took root in segments of Colombian society.

Analysis: The Battle Against Antisemitic Narratives

Aisen's most pointed comments in the i24NEWS interview centered on the information war she believes Israel is losing in Colombia. "A lot of very malicious narratives against Israel were put in place, mainly by the president, and spread throughout social media," she said. She warned that artificial intelligence and social media algorithms make it increasingly difficult for ordinary people to distinguish truth from lies. "Unfortunately, many people here don't have enough knowledge to distinguish between truth and lies," she added, a stark assessment of the challenge facing Israeli public diplomacy in the region.

More troubling, Aisen noted the resurgence of antisemitic tropes that have no connection to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "You can see antisemitic narratives that go back to medieval times," she observed. "It's really hard to see that, and I think this is going to be one of the main challenges." This is not merely a diplomatic talking point; it reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where anti-Israel sentiment has sometimes blurred into classic antisemitism. For Aisen, who previously served as Israel's ambassador to Macedonia, this is a familiar battleground, but the Colombian context presents unique difficulties given the size of the country and the intensity of the political polarization.

The Israeli government is responding with a multi-pronged strategy. Beyond Aisen's diplomatic engagement, Israel is sending an additional five tons of humanitarian assistance aboard the aircraft that will bring the rescue delegation home. A third donation may be assembled from supplies purchased inside Colombia, a move designed to support local markets while demonstrating ongoing solidarity. These gestures are intended to counter the negative narratives by showcasing Israel's contributions to Colombian welfare in tangible, visible ways.

What This Means for Israel and the Region

The restoration of ties with Colombia carries significance that extends far beyond the bilateral relationship. Colombia is one of Latin America's largest economies and a key U.S. ally in the region. Its return to the pro-Israel camp bolsters Jerusalem's position in a region where several countries, including Brazil and Mexico, have adopted more critical stances toward Israel in recent years. The successful rehabilitation of the Colombian relationship could serve as a template for engaging with other Latin American nations where diplomatic ties have frayed.

For Israeli travelers, the lifting of visa requirements on September 1 will be an immediate and tangible benefit. Colombia has long been a favorite destination for young Israelis, particularly those taking extended trips after military service, drawn to its coffee regions, Caribbean coast, and the Amazon. The restoration of full diplomatic ties also means that Israeli citizens in Colombia will have access to consular services that were severely limited during the Petro years, a critical safety net in a country with significant security challenges.

Looking ahead, Aisen's success will be measured not only in trade agreements and visa waivers but in her ability to shift the cultural and political conversation. The embassy in Bogota is expected to ramp up cultural programming, academic exchanges, and social media engagement aimed at younger Colombians, a demographic that has been heavily exposed to anti-Israel content. Aisen's background in public diplomacy, honed in Macedonia and other postings, will be put to the test in a country where the information landscape is crowded, polarized, and increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

The coming months will be telling. The de la Espriella administration's commitment to the relationship appears genuine, and the economic incentives are strong. But the deep-seated narratives that Aisen identified will not disappear overnight. Her task is to build a durable foundation of trust, one that can withstand the inevitable political shifts in both countries. As she settles into her residence in Bogota, Aisen carries with her the hopes of the Israeli Foreign Ministry for a renewed partnership in Latin America—and the knowledge that the "golden age" proclaimed by Sa'ar will require sustained effort to become a reality.

By Hannah Berg, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on sources cited in the article.