During the celebrations of International Workers’ Day, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, surprised by announcing the break of diplomatic relations with Israel.
The reason given was the recent massacre committed against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where more than 34,000 people have been killed since October last year.
The statement took place during a speech to hundreds of supporters in Bolívar Square, in Bogotá.
“Before you, the government of change, the president informs that tomorrow diplomatic relations with Israel will be severed for having a genocidal president,” declared Petro.
The Colombian president expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating that “the world could be summed up in a single word, all symbols and colors could be summed up in a single word that claims the need for life, rebellion, the raised flag and the resistance: this word is Gaza, it is Palestine, it is the dead children and babies, dismembered by bombs”.
Petro also highlighted international support for the Palestinian cause and emphasized the need for resistance against violence.
This announcement represents the latest step in a diplomatic escalation initiated by the Colombian government in condemnation of Israel’s military actions against Gaza, following the Hamas attacks in October last year.
With this decision, Colombia joins Bolivia and Venezuela on the list of South American countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
The president’s participation in the May Day demonstrations also served to defend his government against attacks from the right and extreme right, which threaten to overthrow him due to proposed reforms in the areas of health, education, pensions and labor laws.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/05/03/petro-anuncia-rompimento-de-relacoes-diplomaticas-da-colombia-com-israel/
