Colombia and Israel will increase their cooperation in regards to defense and security, ministers announced Monday after a meeting.
According to Colombia’s Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, the increased cooperation means a “new stage” in the bilateral relations.
Pinzon called the agreement to increase collaboration between the two countries’ armed forces “historic.”
“We have invited Israeli officials who want to know more about the experience of our armed forces regarding special operations, naval interdiction and jungle operations to come to our country,” Pinzon said.
His Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak said Colombia was “one of [Israel’s] best friends” and that Colombian and Israeli military corporations would increase investments in the other country’s defense apparatus.
Colombia and Israel have a long military relationship. Colombian weapons manufacturer Indumil has been doing business in Israel since the 1980s and is the producer of a version of the Israeli-made Galil rifle.