The tension between Colombia and Israel has reached new heights as Colombian President Gustavo Petro threatened to break off diplomatic ties with Israel if the country does not comply with a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Petro took to Twitter to announce his ultimatum, following the approval of the resolution and the ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in numerous casualties. Israel responded by stating that it will continue to protect its people and will not succumb to any pressures or threats, accusing Petro of supporting Hamas terrorists.
The strained relationship between Colombia and Israel began to deteriorate when Petro, a leftist leader and supporter of the Palestinian cause, was elected to office in 2022. Petro has been vocal in criticizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza, referring to it as “genocide.” In response to Israeli troops firing on Palestinians gathered around aid trucks, Petro suspended military purchases from Israel, further escalating tensions. Israel had previously suspended defense cooperation with Colombia after Petro failed to condemn a Hamas raid in southern Israel and made comparisons between Israel’s military and Nazi troops.
The deteriorating relations with Israel pose a threat to Colombia’s defense capabilities as the country heavily relies on Israeli companies for maintenance of its fleet of Kfir jets and military communications equipment. Colombia’s arsenal includes over 20 Israeli-built Kfir jets, the only planes capable of launching laser-guided bombs. Additionally, the country produces assault rifles under license from an Israeli manufacturer. Military analysts in Colombia warn that severing ties with Israel could have significant implications for the nation’s defense infrastructure.
The escalation in tensions between Colombia and Israel signifies a shift from being military and commercial partners to becoming ideological rivals. Despite their history of cooperation, including a free trade agreement signed in 2020, the relationship soured under Petro’s administration. The threats of breaking off diplomatic ties highlight the deep political divide between the two nations, with Petro standing firm in his support of the Palestinian cause and condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
As the war of words intensifies between Colombia and Israel, the international community watches closely to see how the situation unfolds. The implications of a potential rupture in diplomatic relations between the two countries could have far-reaching consequences, not only for their bilateral ties but for the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and Latin America. The standoff between Petro and Israeli authorities underscores the complexities of navigating international relations and the challenges of balancing political ideologies and strategic interests on a global stage.
