Colombia breaks diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza ‘genocide’
“Colombia cannot support a genocide; international law must be preserved to stop the barbarism,” President Petro says
The Colombian government has formally informed Israel of the termination of diplomatic relations and has initiated the coordination for the departure of Israeli diplomats from Colombia.
“The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the delivery of a verbal note to the Israeli ambassador in Colombia, officially conveying the government’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with the State of Israel,” stated the Ministry in a release on Friday.
In Latin America, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Belize have also severed diplomatic relations with Israel in response to its military operations in Gaza.
According to the document, “the procedure and times for the departure of diplomatic personnel will be coordinated,” but it also ratified “the intention to maintain consular activities in Tel Aviv and Bogota.”
President Gustavo Petro declared on Wednesday the cessation of diplomatic relations with Israel, citing Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide”.
This move could have significant repercussions for Colombia’s military, which relies on Israeli-manufactured aircraft and weaponry in its operations against rebel factions and for maintenance services provided by Israeli companies.
The Colombian government has indicated that while no new contracts will be entered into with Israel, existing agreements will be honored, including those for the upkeep of the Kfir fighter jets. Efforts are underway to diversify suppliers to reduce dependence on Israel.
On Friday, Petro once again referred to the war in Gaza and criticized Israel’s bombings. “Colombia cannot support a genocide; international law must be preserved to stop the barbarism,” he wrote on his X account.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell on Thursday defended Petro against the criticism received for his decision to break diplomatic relations with Israel.
“Every time there is criticism towards the Government of Israel it cannot be answered by an accusation of anti-Semitism. I claim the right to criticize the Government of (Benjamin) Netanyahu without being accused of being anti-Semitic. What does one thing have to do with the other?” Borrell said in a meeting with correspondents in London.
Source: Newsroom
