Colombia cuts ties with Israel over Gaza aid flotilla detentions
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced a series of sweeping retaliatory measures against Israel following the detention of two Colombian citizens who were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international convoy attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a fiery statement on Wednesday, Petro declared the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation from Bogotá, marking one of the most dramatic diplomatic escalations between the two nations in decades. He accused Israel of committing “a new international crime” under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.
The president also revealed that Colombia would terminate its free trade agreement with Israel, cutting off economic ties that had previously linked the two countries. He argued that Colombia could not continue normal relations with a government he described as operating outside the bounds of international law.
Petro, who has positioned himself as one of Latin America’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, urged the Colombian foreign ministry to pursue legal action in Israeli courts on behalf of the detained citizens. He further invited lawyers worldwide to support Colombia’s case, framing it as part of a larger struggle for international justice.
The flotilla, comprising more than a dozen boats, was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this week in the Mediterranean Sea. Onboard were hundreds of international activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. Among those detained were two Colombians, whose arrest prompted Petro’s furious response.
Human rights organisations accused Israel of violating maritime law, while some governments called for explanations regarding the treatment of the activists.
READ ALSO: Israeli forces intercept Gaza aid flotilla, Greta Thunberg, other activists detained
Petro went further, framing Israel’s actions as evidence of an ongoing disregard for international norms.
Petro’s decisions place Colombia among the most aggressive international critics of Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Analysts say the move could deepen Colombia’s alignment with other left-leaning Latin American states that have taken a strong stance against Israel in recent years.
As the diplomatic fallout widens, Petro reiterated that Colombia’s position is not merely about bilateral relations but about defending international law. “What happened to our citizens is a crime against humanity,” he said, insisting that Israel’s treatment of activists must not go unchallenged.
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