By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-08-14 16:06:40 | Updated at 2026-08-14 17:29:38
1 hour ago
Colombia · Politics
Key Facts
- —The removals On 14 August 2026 the Presidency declared five ambassadors ‘insubsistentes’, or removed, during the handover.
- —The posts The five envoys covered Sweden, Haiti, Turkey, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
- —The reason Most Petro-era ambassadors resigned as asked; these five did not, so the president dismissed them.
- —The Israel turn Colombia is restoring full relations with Israel from 7 August, reversing Petro’s 2024 rupture.
- —The decrees Officials say the formal removal decrees are still being processed.
In days, his government is rebuilding relations with Israel and Washington, unwinding Gustavo Petro’s foreign policy almost overnight.
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President De la Espriella has begun clearing out Colombia’s embassies abroad. On 14 August his office declared five ambassadors removed for refusing to step aside during the transition.
The decision is the sharp edge of a much wider foreign-policy reset.
What De la Espriella actually did
The announcement came from the Presidency press office on Friday, 14 August 2026. It said the government had declared the appointments of five ambassadors ‘insubsistentes’, the Colombian legal term for removed.
The measure lands one week after De la Espriella took office on 7 August. Because it targets envoys named under his predecessor, it reads as a deliberate reset of the diplomatic corps.
Who the five ambassadors are
The government named each envoy and the country they served. They are Guillermo Francisco Reyes in Sweden, Vilma Rocio Velasquez in Haiti and Yennifer Edilma Parra in Turkey.
The list also includes Juan Manuel Corzo in Paraguay and William Sidney Bush Howard in Trinidad and Tobago. All five were posted abroad under former president Gustavo Petro.
Why these five and not the others
The reason is procedural rather than personal, at least officially. When a new government arrives, ambassadors are expected to file a courtesy resignation and place their posts at the president’s disposal.
Most of Colombia’s envoys did exactly that during the handover. These five did not, so the president simply declared their appointments void instead.
The word that carries the weight
The Spanish term at the centre of this is ‘insubsistente’. In Colombian administrative law, a government can declare an appointment insubsistent when the post is one of free appointment and removal.
Ambassadors sit squarely in that category, so the president needs no cause to end the posting. Still, the government said the formal decrees to seal each removal are being drafted.
De la Espriella turns back toward Israel
The removals are only the visible part of a broader pivot. Even before taking office, the incoming team of De la Espriella agreed to restore full relations with Israel from 7 August.
That reverses Petro’s 2024 decision to break ties over the war in Gaza. As a result, Colombia is unwinding one of its most contentious foreign-policy moves of recent years.
How the Israel deal came together
The groundwork was laid in Washington in July. Foreign Minister Omar Bula met his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar and agreed on an immediate exchange of ambassadors once the new government took power.
Israel has already confirmed Vivian Aisen as its ambassador to Colombia. On the Colombian side, an envoy to Israel is expected, though officials have not yet named the person publicly.
An embassy bound for Jerusalem
The agreement goes further than restoring normal contact. Both sides said they would scrap visa requirements and work toward opening a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem.
Recognising the city as Israel’s capital. The government also signalled it would drop Colombia’s support for genocide claims against Israel.
In short, the shift is not a small correction but a full reversal of tone.
The wider break with Petro
The Israel move fits a clear pattern in the new administration. De la Espriella campaigned as a right-wing lawyer promising a hard line on security and a warmer relationship with Washington.
He has also pledged to suspend the peace talks his predecessor pursued with armed groups. By contrast, Petro spent four years pushing Colombia toward the global left.
What is still unsettled
Several pieces of the picture remain open. The removal decrees are still in progress, and the Foreign Ministry says it will manage each handover to keep the embassies running.
The name of Colombia’s own ambassador to Israel has not been made public. Until that appears, the promised exchange of envoys remains a commitment rather than a finished fact.
What comes next
The immediate task is filling the gaps left in five capitals. Because ambassadors carry real weight in trade and consular work, long vacancies can slow everyday business.
The bigger test is Israel, where symbolism and logistics both matter. After the announcements fade, the slow work of opening a Jerusalem mission and naming envoys begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ambassadors did De la Espriella remove?
Five. On 14 August 2026 his government declared the appointments of ambassadors to Sweden.
Why were these ambassadors removed?
Most Colombian envoys filed a courtesy resignation during the transition. These five did not, so the president declared their posts void.
What does ‘insubsistente’ mean?
It is a Colombian legal term. The government can declare an appointment insubsistent, or void.
Is Colombia restoring relations with Israel?
Yes. From 7 August 2026 Colombia is restoring full ties, reversing Petro’s 2024 break.
Sources: La FM; Semana; El Espectador; Infobae; El Pais; Reuters.
