Colombia’s Stance on Israel-Gaza War Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza War in October 2023, Colombia’s stance has repeatedly strained the country’s relationship with the United States. Although Colombia has been historically a favored ally of the U.S and Israel in Latin America, the election of left-wing President Gustavo Petro has significantly changed the traditionally cordial relations between Colombia and the two Western nations. Notably, as a former guerrilla fighter, Gustavo Petro has consistently shown a firm support to the Palestinian cause.

Gustavo Petro’s policy shift on Israel

Colombia’s relationship with Israel has historically been strong. Indeed, Colombia was the last country in South America to recognize the Palestinian State ; until 2018, Colombia had systematically abstained from doing so.

One of the main reasons for this stance are the deep ties between the Colombian military and its Israeli counterpart. Indeed, the Israeli army has been training and providing material support to the Colombian military since the 1980’s, during the conflict with the FARC guerrillas. Consequently, Israel even provided military support to the paramilitary groups, notably the notorious AUC.

Today, Israel remains one of Colombia’s largest weapons suppliers, notably in aircraft, with the Kfir jet fighters, and in infantry weapons with the Galil rifles, which form the backbone of the Colombian military and police arsenals. This historical context is undoubtedly present in President Petro’s mind, as he was part of the M-19, a far-left revolutionary group notoriously known for its theft of Simon Bolivar’s sword.

Consequently, at the instigation of Gustavo Petro, for the first time in its history, Colombia has openly criticized Israeli behavior and policies in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the Colombian president has used controversial terms to describe the Israeli intervention in Gaza. On the social media platform X, on October 9, 2024, Gustavo Petro compared Gaza to a concentration camp and denounced Israel’s violation of International Law. He even accused Israel of crimes against humanity, sparking a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

Colombia-Israel relationship deteriorates

As a result, the historically strong relationship between Colombia and Israel has quickly and considerably deteriorated. On November 1, 2024, Gustavo Petro recalled the Colombian Ambassador to Israel and has not sent him back since. Recently, on February 29, 2024, the Colombian president announced the suspending of Israeli arms imports, a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Although Colombia’s official stance is to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Gustavo Petro’s public statements have significantly eroded the bilateral relationship. On December 2, 2023, Gustavo Petro compared the Israeli targeting of Gaza civilians to “Nazi” behavior.  

These remarks have provoked reactions from part the conservative establishment in the United States. On March 7, 2024, Maria Elvira Salazar, the head of the U.S Department of State Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, denounced Gustavo Petro’s statements as antisemitic.

These declarations prompted an official response from the Colombian embassy in the United States, affirming its support for the Colombian Jewish community and emphasizing the Colombian government’s commitment to facilitating negotiations for the liberation of hostages between Israel and Hamas.  

On the other hand, Israel has adopted a more measured stance regarding Colombia’s policy shift. Given that Colombia is one of the oldest of its few allies worldwide, it appears Israel is taking a cautious approach, possibly in anticipation that a new president, more favorable towards the Hebrew nation, might come to power in the 2026 Colombian presidential elections.