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Colombian President Gustavo Petro Tuesday May 1st, announced plans to sever diplomatic ties with Israel in response to its actions in the Gaza Strip.
Addressing a gathering commemorating International Workers’ Day in Bogota, President Petro said, “Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic, announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel … for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal.”
President Petro, a prominent figure in the Latin American progressive movement known as the “pink tide,” has consistently criticized Israel’s policies, particularly in relation to the Gaza conflict. He emphasized, “It is crucial for countries not to stand idly by in the face of the crisis unfolding in Gaza.”
This announcement follows previous tensions between Colombia and Israel. In October, Israel suspended security exports to Colombia after Petro accused Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of using language reminiscent of Nazi rhetoric. Gallant’s description of Palestinians as “human animals” during a total siege of Gaza further fueled Petro’s condemnation. In November, Petro accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, prompting further backlash from Israeli officials.
In February, Colombia suspended weapons purchases from Israel after Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a situation Petro likened to the Holocaust.
President Petro’s latest remarks come amidst mounting concerns over a potential Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza, which UN chief Antonio Guterres warns would escalate an already dire situation.
Colombia’s move to cut diplomatic ties with Israel aligns with its broader efforts to seek justice for Palestinians. In early April, the Colombian government sought to join a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide. The country highlighted its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations in Gaza.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese echoed these concerns, citing reasonable grounds to believe that acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza have occurred. However, Israel has vehemently denied these accusations, dismissing them as a distortion of reality.
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