COLOMBIA · DIPLOMACY
Key Facts
- —What is happening On Tuesday, 27 October 2026, Colombia’s government confirmed it is leaving the Hague Group, a bloc of states acting on Israel. The Foreign Ministry first announced the exit on Thursday, 15 October.
- —Why it matters The exit reverses former president Gustavo Petro’s policy and moves Colombia, a long-time US security partner, closer to Israel. It also costs the group one of its two co-chairs.
- —The numbers The group was founded on 31 January 2025, with eight founding states by Colombia’s count. Colombia and South Africa co-chaired it, and Bolivia and Honduras had already left.
- —Who is who Presidency spokesperson Miller Soto explained the decision for conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, in office since 7 August 2026. Foreign Minister Omar Bula made the first announcement.
- —What to watch Watch for a reply from South Africa, the other co-chair, and the remaining members, and for the date the withdrawal takes effect.
- —Power Index Colombia ranks 6th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 51.9 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you For US readers it shows where a close security partner now stands on Israel, one of the most divisive issues in Latin American diplomacy.
Colombia’s government has confirmed it is leaving a group of countries that coordinates action on Israel. The exit was first announced on 15 October and reverses the previous government’s policy.
Colombia’s government confirmed on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 that it is leaving the Hague Group. The bloc coordinates legal and diplomatic steps by states over Israel’s war in Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry first announced the exit on Thursday, 15 October, so the 27 October statements explain a decision already taken. It matters to US readers because Colombia is a long-standing US security partner now realigning on Israel.
What Colombia Said About Leaving
Presidency spokesperson Miller Soto presented the decision in a video on the Presidency’s social media account. He said Colombia is leaving both as a member state and as co-chair of the group.
Soto said, in Spanish, that the foreign relations of a serious country cannot be run like a “club of ideological activism”. He added that Colombia’s diplomacy should reflect its historical values and favour cooperation and open markets.
A Foreign Ministry statement the same day rejected using the group to attack or isolate other sovereign states. It said foreign policy should serve democratic and historical values and avoid ideological activism.
Foreign Minister Omar Bula had made the first announcement on 15 October, saying Colombia “officially requested its withdrawal”. In his words, the group was “created to isolate and attack Israel”, an approach Colombia rejects.
The ministry said Colombia stays committed to multilateralism, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It added that Colombia will keep working for peace, justice and security through the United Nations.
Bula spoke during a visit to Israel, after Colombia opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, 14 October. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, attended, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the Jerusalem embassy opening.
Colombia restored diplomatic relations with Israel in August 2026, after Petro cut them in 2024. The government also says it withdrew in September from South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
What the Hague Group Is
The group was founded on 31 January 2025 in The Hague, in the Netherlands. Colombia’s government counts eight founding states: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa.
The group calls itself a global bloc for coordinated legal and diplomatic measures defending international law and standing with Palestinians. Members spoke of steps such as limiting arms transfers to Israel and backing international court rulings.
Colombia and South Africa chaired the group together until now. Bolivia and Honduras had already left, according to the Colombian government.
Colombia’s government now describes the group’s purpose as hostile to Israel. The group itself says its work defends international law.
Why the Colombia Hague Group Exit Matters
The step completes a turn in foreign policy under conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, in office since Friday, 7 August 2026. His left-wing predecessor, Gustavo Petro, had broken ties with Israel and helped lead the group.
The exit also separates Bogotá from South Africa, which brought the genocide case that Israel disputes. For Washington, it moves a major Latin American partner closer to Israel’s position.
What It Means for You
The statements named no change to visa rules, trade or travel advice, so travellers and exporters face no new rule from them. Companies with business tied to Israel should still watch for follow-up decisions.
Investors in Colombian assets should treat this as a political signal rather than a market event. The statements named no trade, arms or sanctions step.
For wider context, read how Colombia and the United States relate and the Colombia hub. Colombia’s earlier visa waiver for Israelis belongs to the same shift.
In Plain English
- Hague Group: a bloc of countries, founded in 2025, that coordinates legal and diplomatic action over Israel’s war in Gaza.
- Foreign Ministry: the Colombian government department, called the Cancillería, that runs foreign policy.
- Co-chair: one of two countries, Colombia and South Africa, that led the group together.
- Presidency spokesperson: the official, Miller Soto, who explains the president’s decisions to the public.
- International Court of Justice: the United Nations’ top court, which settles disputes between states.
What Is Not Known
No reaction to the exit from South Africa, the group itself or Israel’s government was found. The date the withdrawal takes effect and the formal procedure were not stated.
Colombia counts eight founding states, while the group’s own website also lists Belize. Whether Colombia will reverse measures adopted as a member, and any US government comment, are also unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hague Group?
It is a bloc of states set up on 31 January 2025 to coordinate legal and diplomatic steps on Israel and Gaza. It says it defends international law and stands with the Palestinian people.
When did Colombia announce it was leaving?
The Foreign Ministry announced it on Thursday, 15 October 2026. The government confirmed and explained the exit on Tuesday, 27 October.
Why did Colombia leave the Hague Group?
Foreign Minister Omar Bula said the group was created to isolate and attack Israel, and that Colombia rejects that approach. The exit follows Colombia’s restored ties with Israel in August 2026.
Which other countries have left?
Bolivia and Honduras left before Colombia, according to the Colombian government. Five states from Colombia’s founding list remain, including South Africa.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, statements of 15 and 27 October 2026; Presidency of Colombia, video statement by spokesperson Miller Soto, 27 October 2026; The Hague Group, official website; International Court of Justice, South Africa v. Israel case page (all accessed 27 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief