The Colombian Foreign Ministry confirmed the announcement by President Gustavo Petro, who stated that the Nation breaks diplomatic relations with Israel “for having a Government, for having a genocidal president.”
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a statement, reiterated that “Colombia has not stopped insisting, time and time again, on the need to achieve a ceasefire, the immediate release of the hostages, as well as the regular entry and in the necessary quantities of humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza.”
“However, Colombia and the world have seen famine descend on the population, the destruction of civil infrastructure, the deaths of hundreds of humanitarian workers, journalists, medical personnel, women and children.who continue to fall victims of Israel’s retaliation that has not respected the principles of distinction, proportionality or precaution that underpin international humanitarian law,” he added.
For this reason, the government entity indicated that “Colombia cannot be complicit or remain silent by maintaining diplomatic relations with a government that behaves in that way. and faces such serious accusations of the commission of genocide, war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.”
“Colombia cannot be indifferent to the enormous and indescribable human suffering that this causes.for which President Gustavo Petro has announced the decision to break diplomatic relations with Israel as of May 2,” he reiterated.
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Actions to take after Colombia’s decision
The Foreign Ministry clarified that “This decision is directed exclusively at the breaking of diplomatic relations and never against the Israeli people or against the Jewish communities, since we are united by historical ties and friendship that will persist.”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “will inform the Israeli embassy in Colombia of the scope of the measure announced by the President. Colombian diplomatic officials will return to our country. Our compatriots in Israel and Palestine will continue to receive the necessary assistance and services from the Consular Section of the embassy in Tel Aviv.”
“All communications related to this announcement will be made through established official channels and will not be public,” he concluded.
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Jewish community in Colombia regrets the breaking of relations with Israel
“We deeply regret President Gustavo Petro’s announcement to break diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, a friendly country that is in a war situation that it never wanted and that has 133 of its children, including a Colombian, kidnapped more than 200 years ago. days by the Hamas terrorist organization that seeks its destruction,” the Confederation of Jewish Communities of Colombia said in a statement.
The Jewish communities recalled that “the historic relations” between Israel and Colombia have been mutually beneficial since their establishment in 1953.
“Israel has collaborated and continues to collaborate with Colombia in multiple areas that benefit millions of compatriots,” they said.
Finally, they trusted that for the good of the people of Colombia and Israel “the relations between two brother countries will be maintained.” leaving open channels of dialogue and agreement”.
