Jews first arrived in Colombia in the 16th century. Today, the Jewish population in Colombia is approximately 2,000.

Origins of the Jewish Community
Treatment of Jews
Modern-Day Community
Relations with Israel

Origins of the Jewish Community

The first Jews came to Colombia during the 16th century. They came as settlers from Spain who practiced Christianity but were really Marranos. In 1636, a huge group of Marranos were caught and put to death. There was still a small group of secret Jews after this massacre, but they slowly diminished. There are no practicing Jews left from this time period in Colombia.

The first wave of practicing Jews came from Jamaica and Curacao. These Jews started practicing their religion openly at the end of the 18th century, even though it was not officially legal to do so. Once Judaism was made a legal religion, the government granted the Jews a plot of land for a cemetery.

During the early part of the 20th century, Jewish immigrants came in masses from the Eastern Hemisphere. Right after World War I a large number of Sephardi immigrants from Greece, Turkey, North Africa and Syria. Shortly after, Jewish immigrants began to arrive from Eastern Europe. A wave of Ashkenazi immigrants came after the rise of Hitler in 1933. From 1939 until the end of World War II, immigration was put to a halt by anti-immigrant feelings in the country. The Jewish population at that time was around 6,000. After World War II, another 350 Jews entered Colombia.

Treatment of Jews

Since 1853 the government has taken measures to try and make it easier to practice other religions besides Catholicism in Colombia. In 1886, the liberal government reformed the Constitution to restrict the Church's power in ruling the country. In 1991, the Church was officially separated from the government. Religions with organized public institutions were allowed to apply for tax exemptions. However, the Jewish community has not applied for this privilege.

While Colombia does not have an official religion anymore, the character of the society and government is still largely Catholic, making it difficult to be Jewish. Socio-economic conditions also exacerbate the Jews' plight. The Jews of Colombia are largely upper-middle class. The average person in Colombia is much poorer, which breeds anti-Semitism. In the last two decades, about twenty Jews have been kidnapped, and even more violent incidents have been reported. These violent attacks come from both right-wing and left-wing groups and is mostly due to the relative wealth of the Jewish community.

Relations with Israel started off poorly but improved over the years. Colombia was one of the countries that did not vote for partition in 1947. When Israel was established in 1948, Colombia did not recognize the State of Israel. It was not until the 1960s that Colombia and Israel opened embassies. Relations improved tremendously in 1988 when major trade agreements were signed between Israel and Colombia.

Modern-Day Community

Most Jews in Colombia are not observant and generally not active in religious Jewish life. Emphasis is on social gatherings and only a handful of Jews keep kosher. Despite the low-level of ritual observance, however, many Colombians send their children to day school and the intermarriage rate is only around 10 percent.

The Jews in Colombia are concentrated in a few professions. Most Jewish immigrants started out and are still involved in commerce and business. Jews have played a large role is developing new industries in Colombia since World War II. Some Jews tried farming when they first came to Latin America, but failed in their efforts.

Most of the Jews in Colombia are concentrated in Bogota. There are small communities in Cali, Barranquilla and Medellin. The size of the Ashkenazi and Sephardi population is about the same. There are nine synagogues throughout the country. In Bogota, the Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and German Jews each run their own religious and cultural institutions. One organization, Confederacion de Asociaciones, located in Bogota, is the central organization that unites all Jews and Jewish institutions in Colombia.

Due to the unstable economy and violence against Jews, many Jews have left Colombia. In the mid-1990s, the population was 5,650, and in the early twenty-first century, the Jewish population had decreased to 4,200. Most of the Jews that have left have gone to settle in Miami and other parts of the United States.

The appointment of Richard Gamboa Ben-Eleazar as Colombia’s director of religious affairs in April 2025 sparked widespread condemnation due to his dubious rabbinical credentials, inflammatory anti-Zionist rhetoric, and lack of recognition from any established Jewish institution. Critics across Colombia’s Jewish denominations and international watchdogs view the move as part of President Gustavo Petro’s broader antagonistic shift toward Israel and Jewish communities. Gamboa, who received an online certificate for $150, has made statements labeling Israel a “neo-Nazi state” and Zionism a “heresy,” and co-authored a manifesto rejecting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. Jewish leaders warn that his official position, which includes regulatory power over religious entities, threatens religious freedom and legitimizes hate speech under the guise of diversity. While Gamboa lacks communal support, observers argue the real issue is Petro’s use of his appointment to mask a politically charged agenda with a dangerous façade of religious legitimacy.

Relations with Israel

During his final days in office in August 2018, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos recognized Palestinian statehood in a letter published by the Colombian Foreign Ministry. The government was surprised by the decision, according to officials, and the newly elected President promised to cautiously examine [the] implications of the decision made by Santos.

Relations with Israel deteriorated further in the midst of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. In May 2024, President Gustavo Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel.

On February 14, 2025, Colombian President Petro shared a photo of himself holding a map of Israel that included a Palestinian symbol representing the right of return. Petro described the events in Gaza as “genocide.” He opposed the displacement of Gazans while also calling for the release of Hamas hostage Elkana Bohbot, a Colombian citizen, from captivity as a gesture of solidarity of Colombia with the Palestinian people.

In May 2025, Colombia appointed Jorge Iván Ospina, a former mayor known for his anti-Israel rhetoric, as its first ambassador to the “State of Palestine,” deepening the diplomatic rift with Israel after severing ties in 2024. The move builds on Colombia’s 2018 recognition of “Palestine” and aligns with President Gustavo Petro’s harsh criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Ospina, who expressed solidarity with Palestinians and condemned Israel, will focus on humanitarian aid, the release of a Colombian-Israeli hostage, and promoting a two-state solution.

In October 2025, Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israeli diplomats. He suspended the free trade pact with Israel after two Colombian activists were detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla, intercepted by Israeli forces, carried humanitarian aid and included high-profile international activists. Petro condemned the incident as a “crime” by Israel’s government, vowed legal action for the activists’ release, and invoked Hannah Arendt’s warnings about totalitarianism. The move highlights Petro’s increasingly pro-Palestinian stance, causing rifts within his cabinet and drawing sharp criticism from Israel, which accused him of anti-Semitism.

Despite President Gustavo Petro’s outspoken anti-Israel rhetoric, including accusations of genocide during the Gaza war, Colombia has continued deepening defense ties with Israel by integrating Israel Aerospace Industries’ Barak MX air defense system, which won a $131.2 million Colombian tender in 2022. According to reports, the Colombian Air Force is now integrating the first battery, including command-and-control systems and radars, with all batteries scheduled for delivery by 2026 and full operational deployment by 2032. Colombian authorities view the system as strategically important due to its advanced interception capabilities and significant radar upgrades, with the Barak MX designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, from UAVs and fighter jets to cruise and surface-to-surface missiles.

Sources: Colombian president recognizes Palestinian statehood shortly before leaving office, JNS, (August 9, 2018).
ORT.
Encyclopedia Judaica.
Rafael Bernal, “Colombia to cut diplomatic ties with Israel,” The Hill, (May 1, 2024).
“Map of Israel with the Palestinian Symbol, and the Criticism from Colombia’s President: ‘Gaza is Palestine,’” Ynet, (February 15, 2025). [Hebrew]
Gabriel Colodro, “Colombia Cuts Ties With Israel, Then Appoints Anti-Zionist ‘Rabbi,’” Media Line, (April 6, 2025).
Ailin Vilches Arguello, “Colombia Appoints First Ambassador to ‘State of Palestine’ Amid Deepening Rift With Israel,” Algemeiner, (May 27, 2025).
Liza Rozovsky, “Colombia Expels Israeli Diplomats, Suspends Free Trade Pact After Gaza Flotilla Detentions,” Haaretz, (October 2, 2025).
Dean Shmuel Elmas, “Anti-Israel Colombia integrates IAI’s Barak air defense system,” Globes, (December 25, 2025).

Map from CIA World Factbook;
Photo Credit: Sunset in Cartagena.

Colombia Virtual Jewish History Tour