2024-05-03 20:16:07
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has announced the breaking of diplomatic relations with Israel, marking the end of an alliance that has lasted almost 70 years. The decision, based on the president’s position regarding the conflict in Palestine, has generated significant repercussions in key sectors of the Colombian economy.
The military and chemical industries are especially affected by this disruption. For decades, Colombia has been a prominent client of Israel in the purchase of military equipment and surveillance technologies. However, with this decision, the South American country cuts commercial ties that represented millions of dollars in annual imports.
According to figures from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), Colombia imported more than US$351 million in weapons and ammunition in January 2024 alone, with a total of US$6 million coming from Israel that same month. These figures reflect Colombia’s dependence on Israeli military technology and equipment.
You can read: “We must raise the flag of constituent power”: Petro
On the other hand, Colombian exports to Israel, although they represent a smaller percentage of the country’s total sales, are also affected. In January 2024, Colombia exported US$27 million in various products, highlighting electrical appliances and material, as well as optical instruments and navigation devices.
Israel’s response was immediate. Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz accused President Petro of anti-Semitism and called him “on the side of monsters.” Katz affirmed that, despite Petro’s positions, Israel will maintain its position and continue to defend its citizens.
Colombia’s decision to break diplomatic relations with Israel not only has economic repercussions, but also political and social ones. While Petro maintains her position in defense of Palestine, the international community is closely watching the development of this situation and its possible long-term consequences in the region.
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