Colombia has become the last country in South America to recognise the state of Palestine, a decision made by the previous president during his last few days in office.
Former Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos announced the decision in a letter to the Palestinian representative in Colombia last week, stating he had decided to recognise Palestine as a “free, independent and sovereign state.”
Although the government of the new president Ivan Duque, who took office on Tuesday, said that it would review the decision, it acknowledged that the decision was legal.
The Israeli Embassy in Bogota said it was surprised and disappointed and asked the Colombian government to reverse the decision made by previous administration, claiming it “contravened the close relations” and “extensive cooperation in vital areas and interests of both countries.”