Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemns restoring ties with Israel as endorsing Gaza genocide

Former Colombian president Gustavo Petro, who left office in 2026, publicly condemned any move to re‑establish diplomatic relations with Israel, stating that such a step would amount to “applauding the genocide in Gaza.” Petro made the remarks during a televised interview on August 22, 2026, where he linked the proposed policy shift to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that began after Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. He cited the United Nations’ estimates of civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure, arguing that normalizing ties with Israel would undermine Colombia’s commitment to human‑rights principles and international law.

Petro’s comments come as Colombia’s current administration is reportedly reviewing its foreign‑policy stance toward Israel, a country with which it has maintained diplomatic relations since 1950. The debate has drawn reactions from both supporters, who emphasize strategic and economic interests, and critics, who echo Petro’s concerns about endorsing actions they deem violations of international norms. The Colombian foreign ministry has not yet issued an official response, indicating that the issue will be addressed in forthcoming diplomatic discussions.