Colombia Expels Israeli Diplomats Over Gaza Flotilla Incident

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Petro Orders Expulsion of Israeli Delegation

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country following Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla and the reported detention of two Colombian activists.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Petro described the move as a response to what he termed “a new international crime” committed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He declared the removal of “the entire diplomatic delegation of Israel” and simultaneously terminated Colombia’s free-trade agreement with Israel, which had been active since 2020.

Akahi News gathered that the drastic decision further escalates tensions between Bogotá and Tel Aviv, already strained since Petro formally severed diplomatic ties last year.

Detention of Colombian Activists Sparks Outrage

The expulsion followed reports that two Colombian citizens, Manuela Bedoya and Luna Barreto, were detained by Israeli forces in international waters. Both women were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition initiative aimed at delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

According to Petro’s office, the two women were engaged in “human solidarity activities with Palestine” before being intercepted by the Israeli navy. Israel’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, confirmed that “several vessels” in the flotilla were stopped and redirected to Israeli ports, but stressed that the operation was carried out safely.

Akahi News learnt that Bogotá has demanded the immediate release of the detained activists.

Petro’s Fierce Criticism of Israel and the US

President Petro, a leftist leader and long-time critic of Israel, has repeatedly labelled Prime Minister Netanyahu as “genocidal.” He has also accused the United States of complicity, blasting former President Donald Trump as an “accomplice” to what he calls ongoing “genocide” against Palestinians.

Just last week, Petro joined a pro-Palestinian protest in New York, where he controversially urged US soldiers to “disobey” Trump. In response, Washington revoked his visa, a move that has further deepened his rift with the US government.

Observers told Akahi News that Colombia’s hardline stance is positioning Petro as one of the most vocal Latin American leaders against Israel’s Gaza policies, a position that could have implications for regional alliances and trade relations.

What This Means for Colombia’s Foreign Policy

Diplomatic experts suggest that Petro’s latest decision may isolate Colombia from some Western partners but could strengthen ties with other nations in Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond who oppose Israel’s Gaza operations.

The termination of the Israel–Colombia free-trade deal is also expected to have economic implications, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, defence, and technology where Israel has had a strong presence.

Akahi News notes that this development underscores how Colombia’s foreign policy under Petro has shifted towards openly aligning with pro-Palestinian causes while challenging Western powers over their support for Israel.

By expelling Israeli diplomats and cancelling a free-trade agreement, President Petro has made one of his boldest foreign policy moves yet, cementing his role as a fierce critic of Israel and a controversial voice on the global stage.

As the standoff continues, all eyes are on whether Israel will respond diplomatically or through retaliatory measures, and how Colombia’s international relationships will evolve in the coming months.

For ongoing updates on this story and other global developments, follow Akahi News.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org