Colombia's Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio and Palestinian Ambassador to Colombia Raouf Almalki signed an agreement allowing family members of Palestinian diplomatic staff to work in the country. The deal extends labor rights in line with Colombian law. The signing strengthens bilateral ties amid regional tensions.
In a recent ceremony, Colombia's Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio signed with Palestinian Ambassador to Colombia Raouf Almalki the “Agreement on Authorization for Paid Activities for Dependent Family Members of Diplomatic, Consular, Technical, and Administrative Personnel of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representations”.
This pact enables dependent family members of Palestinian diplomatic, consular, administrative, and technical staff to engage in paid activities in Colombia, provided they obtain the necessary authorization and comply with local regulations.
At the event, Villavicencio reaffirmed Colombia's support for full recognition of the Palestinian state and solidarity with its people amid the armed conflict. “Colombia will continue providing assistance in emergency situations to the population of the Gaza Strip, through cooperation initiatives to promote health care, access to education, and reconstruction of essential infrastructure,” the minister stated.
For his part, Almalki praised President Gustavo Petro's approach to the Middle East and his leadership in promoting Palestine. “The commitment to upholding Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and respect for the dignity of peoples,” the ambassador highlighted. He also noted progress in bilateral relations, including political consultations, technical and academic cooperation, and visa exemptions for diplomatic passports.
The agreement fits into a broader context of increasing cooperation between the two countries, aiming for peaceful solutions such as the coexistence of two states for Israel and Palestine.
