Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel, becoming the second Latin American country to do so since the beginning of the war in Gaza.
Bolivia broke diplomatic ties with Israel last fall over the war, while Cuba and Venezuela haven’t recognized the country since 1973 and 2009, respectively. Colombia, having already previously withdrawn its ambassador from the country shortly after the beginning of the war, took things a step further by cutting all ties with Israel, President Gustavo Petro announced on Wednesday.
“Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel … for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal,” Petro told cheering crowds in Bogota.
Petro was met with fury by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who denounced him in strong terms.
“The president of Colombia has promised to give a reward to the Nazi-Hamas murderers, and here it is today,” he said. “History will remember that Gustavo Petro decided to side with the most despicable monsters known to mankind who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians.”
“Relations between Israel and Colombia have always been warm — and even an antisemitic and hate-filled president will not be able to change that. The State of Israel will continue to protect its citizens without fear and without fear,” Katz added.
Israeli-Colombian relations had been tense for months as Petro grew critical of Israel over its actions in its war against Hamas. After he accused Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of using language similar to what the “Nazis said of the Jews,” Israel announced it was “halting security exports” to the country. Earlier in 2023, Colombia had bought $101 million in gun systems from an Israeli firm.
Chile and Honduras also withdrew their ambassadors from Israel over the war last year.
However, some Latin American countries are heavily supportive of Israel, especially countries with large evangelical Christian populations, a religious movement that threatens to unseat Catholicism as the prominent religion in many countries. Guatemala moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018. Honduras moved its embassy as well in 2021, though the government that made the move was unseated by a leftist president who has been less friendly toward the country.
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Argentinian President Javier Milei, who has stated his intention to convert to Judaism, visited Israel after his inauguration and discussed the prospect of moving the country’s embassy to Jerusalem. Brazil made a similar announcement under former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro.
Israel has a close economic relationship with Latin America, with trade between the two totaling $6 billion in 2022, according to the Council of the Americas. Much of this comprises security equipment, including arms and surveillance software.
