Colombia officially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights on Aug. 10, 2026, becoming the second country after the United States to do so, a move condemned by Syria and much of the international community.

The decision, announced shortly after President Abelardo de la Espriella assumed office in Colombia, frames Israeli control of the Golan Heights as essential to Israel's national defence. Colombia's foreign ministry said the recognition affirms Israel's right to protect itself against external threats and linked sovereignty over the disputed territory to Israel's security strategy.

"We recognize Israel's right to defend its citizens and protect its borders. The Golan Heights constitute a vital part of Israel's defence system," Colombia's foreign ministry said in an official release, according to Al Jazeera.

The Golan Heights is a strategically significant plateau captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel formally annexed the territory in 1981, a move that the United Nations declared null and void through Security Council Resolution 497. The majority of nations regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation. Syria condemned Colombia's recognition as a violation of international law and UN resolutions.

Syria's foreign ministry said the recognition is "an affront to Syrian sovereignty and international legitimacy," according to Bastille Post. It reaffirmed Damascus's claim over the Golan Heights and urged the international community to reject such unilateral recognitions.

Colombia's move coincides with the restoration of its diplomatic relations with Israel, including plans to appoint ambassadors and relocate the Colombian embassy to Jerusalem. Israeli officials welcomed Colombia's recognition. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli government officials praised Colombia's stance as support for Israel's security concerns.

Canada, which has historically supported United Nations resolutions on the status of disputed territories, has not altered its position on the Golan Heights. Canadian government officials, diplomats, and diaspora groups have yet to issue formal statements responding to Colombia's recognition.

"Colombia's recognition marks a notable shift in Latin American geopolitics, which may have implications for Canadian diplomatic approaches to the region," said a policy analyst specializing in Canadian foreign affairs. The United Nations and many countries have called for a negotiated peace and respect for established international boundaries.

The U.S. was the first country to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019 under the Trump administration, breaking with decades of international consensus. Colombia's 2026 decision follows Washington's position on the territory.

The Golan Heights remains a contested issue in Israeli-Syrian relations and in international law.