Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday that Colombia will suspend coal exports to Israel in response to the war in Gaza. The decision came after Petro broke diplomatic ties with Israel in May, citing the “genocidal” actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Petro stated that coal exports will only resume when the “genocide” in Gaza stops and if Israel complies with a recent order by the International Court of Justice. Colombian coal exports to Israel were worth more than $320 million in the first eight months of last year, making up a small fraction of Colombia’s overall coal exports.
Israel currently imports over 50% of its coal from Colombia, using it primarily for power generation. Colombia has traditionally depended on Israel for military hardware, including fighter jets and intelligence equipment. However, new military purchases have been halted as relations between the two countries deteriorate. Critics of Petro have raised concerns about the impact of cutting ties with Israel on Colombia’s security capabilities as it continues to combat drug cartels and rebel groups.
Despite criticism, some have applauded Petro’s decision to suspend coal exports to Israel. The Global Energy Embargo for Palestine, an advocacy group, praised Colombia’s move as a step towards pressuring Israel to change its policies in Gaza and the West Bank. The group urged other countries with significant energy exports to consider following Colombia’s lead, specifically calling on South Africa, which provides 9% of Israel’s coal, to take similar action. Petro, in contrast to previous Colombian presidents, has been a vocal critic of Israel and initially refused to condemn Hamas attacks that preceded Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
The announcement of Colombia’s suspension of coal exports to Israel comes as relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate. Petro’s decision reflects a shift in Colombia’s foreign policy towards Israel, signaling a break from the strong ties maintained by previous administrations. While both governments still maintain consulates in each other’s territories and conduct trade, the decision to halt military purchases has raised concerns about Colombia’s security interests. The move has sparked debate among critics and supporters of Petro, with some commending his stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza and others expressing concerns about the impact on Colombia’s security capabilities.
