Colombia President Petro says country will break diplomatic relations with Israel

Colombian President Gustavo Petro greets supporters as he attends the International Workers' Day march in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Colombian President Gustavo Petro greets supporters as he attends the International Workers' Day march in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza.

Petro, the country’s first left-wing president, has already heavily criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

“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 tells cheering crowds in Bogota, who marched to mark International Worker’s Day and back Petro’s social and economic reforms.

He appears to confuse Netanyahu’s title with that of President Isaac Herzog.

Countries cannot be passive in the face of events in Gaza, he adds.

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