Colombia Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Israel Despite Dependency on Israeli-Built Military Equipment

In a significant escalation of tensions, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Wednesday that his government will break diplomatic relations with Israel, effective Thursday, citing "genocide" in the Israel-Hamas war. This move follows similar decisions by Bolivia and Belize in the region.

Why this matters: The severing of diplomatic ties between Colombia and Israel has far-reaching implications for regional politics and global relations, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This move may also inspire other countries to reevaluate their relationships with Israel, potentially leading to a shift in the global balance of power.

"Tomorrow, diplomatic relations with the State of Israel will be broken ... for having a genocidal president," Petro declared. "If Palestine dies, humanity dies, and we are not going to let it die." Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded sharply, stating, "History will remember that Gustavo Petro decided to side with the most despicable monsters known to mankind who burned babies, murdered children, raped women and kidnapped innocent civilians."

Colombia and Israel have maintained close ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1957, with dozens of agreements on education, trade, and security matters. Colombia's military relies heavily on Israeli-built warplanes, including over 20 Kfir fighter jets, and Galil rifles to fight drug cartels and rebel groups. The aging fleet of Kfir jets, purchased in the late 1980s, requires maintenance that can only be carried out by an Israeli firm.

Relations between the two countries have cooled since Petro's election as Colombia's first leftist president in 2022. Weeks after the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, Petro recalled Colombia's ambassador to Israel, criticizing the country's military offensive. He previously suspended purchases of weapons from Israel and compared Israel's actions in Gaza to those of Nazi Germany.

The severing of diplomatic ties may affect bilateral security agreements and trade between the two countries. Colombian Defense Minister Iván Velásquez announced that no new contracts will be signed with Israel, but existing ones will be fulfilled, including maintenance for the Kfir fighters and missile systems. A "transition" committee has been established to "diversify" suppliers and avoid dependence on Israel.

A free trade agreement between Colombia and Israel went into effect in August 2020, with Israel buying 1% of Colombia's total exports, including coal, coffee, and flowers. Exports to Israel last year totaled $499 million, a 53% drop from 2022. The move by Colombia marks a significant shift in its foreign policy, particularly in its relations with Israel, as the current war in Gaza, sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack, has resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people.

Key Takeaways

• Colombia breaks diplomatic relations with Israel, citing "genocide" in Israel-Hamas war.
• Move follows similar decisions by Bolivia and Belize in the region.
• Colombia's military relies heavily on Israeli-built warplanes and equipment.
• Severing of ties may affect bilateral security agreements and trade between the two countries.
• Colombia aims to "diversify" suppliers and reduce dependence on Israel.