Israeli and U.S. Embassies on Alert Following Bomb Threats in Argentina and Suspicious Activities in Bogota

After bomb threats were made against the Israeli and U.S. embassies in Argentina, “suspicious elements” were reported in Bogota, alerting authorities to a possible risk to the same diplomatic offices there. Bomb disposal experts from the “Policía Metropolitana de Bogota” are now overseeing the security of the embassies.”

Bomb Threats in Buenos Aires, Argentina

On October 8th, in the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires, both the U.S. and Israeli embassies were vandalized and received bomb threats, leading to the evacuation of all personnel. This led to a security operation for the premises and the diplomats who work there; however, the Buenos Aires police later confirmed that no bombs were found in either of the embassies. Several of the security controls were therefore lifted, leaving just a couple of officers there.

During the escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Israeli embassy in Bogota was vandalized by a group in response to the bombings in Gaza, a region in Palestine.

Israel Retailations Against Colombia

In response to President Gustavo Petro’s reluctance to condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel and his decision to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel suspended its security supply to Colombia.

President Petro has also commented on social media about the Israel-Palestine conflict and addressed allegations of antisemitism, saying that “Criticism of a state is not persecution of a religion or an ethnic group, in this case Judaism and the Jewish people, whose right to maintain their culture and religion, and to have a free state, we respect.”