Colombia has officially severed diplomatic ties with Israel as of May 1, 2024, marking a significant departure from decades of alliance. Under President Gustavo Petro's leadership, Colombia had been Israel's primary diplomatic partner in Latin America and its second-largest trading partner in South America until recent events. This decision follows a series of escalating tensions related to Israel's actions in Gaza, which President Petro has condemned as genocide [7c85ff49].
In August 2024, Colombia banned coal exports to Israel as a direct response to the ongoing Gaza War, further emphasizing its stance against Israel's military actions. The Colombian government had previously recalled its ambassador on November 1, 2023, in protest of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen a rising death toll and widespread destruction [7c85ff49].
Additionally, Colombia suspended arms purchases from Israel following a tragic incident involving a Gaza aid convoy that resulted in 112 deaths. This suspension reflects a broader shift in military cooperation, which had included purchasing weapons and intelligence systems from Israel [7c85ff49].
Colombia's foreign minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, has called on the international community to increase pressure on Israel to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He urged Israel's allies to convince Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza [e7e24de9].
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of mass graves and imminent famine. Various UN officials and organizations have expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis, calling for urgent action to protect the rights of the Palestinian people [2801757a].
As Colombia navigates this diplomatic shift, it reflects a broader leftist trend in its politics, breaking away from historical ties with the United States and Israel. The international community is watching closely as Colombia seeks to redefine its role in the Middle East conflict and advocate for Palestinian rights [7c85ff49].