Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a stern warning, threatening to sever diplomatic relations with Israel if the country fails to adhere to a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Petro's declaration, made on X, follows his recent advocacy for the resolution's approval and his call for other nations to suspend ties with Israel should it persist in its military offensive in Gaza. The conflict has led to a devastating toll, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 32,000 casualties.
In response to Petro's ultimatum, Israel's Foreign Ministry took to social media, affirming the nation's commitment to protecting its citizens and rejecting external pressures or threats.
Accusing Petro of aligning with "Hamas terrorists," Israel's Foreign Ministry denounced the Colombian President's stance, labeling it a "disgrace to the Colombian people." This exchange on X underscores a deepening rift between the two countries, once military and commercial allies, now embroiled in ideological discord.
While Colombia and Israel shared a history of military collaboration, dating back to the fight against drug cartels and rebel groups, tensions began to surface following Petro's ascent to power in 2022. A staunch advocate for the Palestinian cause, Petro has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide."
The deterioration in relations escalated in February when Petro suspended military purchases from Israel in response to a tragic incident where Israeli troops fired on Palestinians around aid trucks, resulting in over 100 casualties. Israel had previously suspended defense cooperation with Colombia in October, citing Petro's failure to condemn a Hamas raid and his comparison of Israeli military actions to Nazi tactics.
Petro's declaration, made on X, follows his recent advocacy for the resolution's approval and his call for other nations to suspend ties with Israel should it persist in its military offensive in Gaza. The conflict has led to a devastating toll, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 32,000 casualties.
In response to Petro's ultimatum, Israel's Foreign Ministry took to social media, affirming the nation's commitment to protecting its citizens and rejecting external pressures or threats.
Accusing Petro of aligning with "Hamas terrorists," Israel's Foreign Ministry denounced the Colombian President's stance, labeling it a "disgrace to the Colombian people." This exchange on X underscores a deepening rift between the two countries, once military and commercial allies, now embroiled in ideological discord.
While Colombia and Israel shared a history of military collaboration, dating back to the fight against drug cartels and rebel groups, tensions began to surface following Petro's ascent to power in 2022. A staunch advocate for the Palestinian cause, Petro has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide."
The deterioration in relations escalated in February when Petro suspended military purchases from Israel in response to a tragic incident where Israeli troops fired on Palestinians around aid trucks, resulting in over 100 casualties. Israel had previously suspended defense cooperation with Colombia in October, citing Petro's failure to condemn a Hamas raid and his comparison of Israeli military actions to Nazi tactics.
