Colombia halts coal exports to Israel amid Gaza war
Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech during a military ceremony at the Military School of Cadets General Jose Maria Cordova in Bogota on May 31, 2024. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)
The Colombian government has officially announced its decision to halt coal exports to Israel, citing the country’s attacks on Gaza as the reason.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared the decree banning coal exports to Israel on the social media platform X.
In his statement, Petro condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying, “They are making bombs with Colombian coal to kill Palestinian children.”
Colombia exports 5% of its coal to Israel, with the United States being its largest customer.
Hamas welcomed Petro’s decision to stop coal exports to Israel.
In a written statement, Hamas said, “We appreciate the courageous stance of the Republic of Colombia in ending diplomatic relations with the Zionist regime (Israel) and condemning the genocidal war the Zionist occupation state is waging against our people in the Gaza Strip.”
Colombia had previously announced on May 3 that it had formally cut diplomatic ties with Israel, citing the attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza.
