Colombia cuts diplomatic ties with Israel amid ongoing Gaza genocide

On 4 May 2023, Colombia became the third Latin American nation to sever diplomatic relations with Israel following the intensification of the Israel-Hamas conflict which began on 7 October 2023.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the decision during a May Day rally in Bogota, where he condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocidal."

President Petro's statements at the rally included a poignant declaration that "if Palestine dies, humanity dies," signaling a strong stance against Israel’s military campaign.

The Colombian leader has also aligned with South Africa in seeking to bring a case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice.

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In response to President Petro's announcement, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz labelled the Colombian President as "antisemitic and full of hate," arguing that the move indirectly supports Hamas.

This military organization initiated a deadly assault on Israeli territory on 7 October, leading to significant Israeli casualties of 1,169 and numerous hostages taken, with 129 still unreturned.

This diplomatic break follows similar actions by Bolivia, which ended its relations with Israel in late October of last year. Other countries in the region, including Chile and Honduras, have also recalled their ambassadors in light of the ongoing conflict.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting a death toll of 34,596 and 77,816 injuries since the beginning of the Israeli offensive last October.

The ministry also reported that 28 Palestinians were killed and 51 injured in the last 24 hours alone on 2 May. Rescue operations have been hampered by Israel's continued offensive in Gaza, with many people trapped under rubble or stranded on roads, unable to be reached by aid workers.