Colombia Formally Notifies Israel Of The Severance Of Diplomatic Relations

The Colombian government has officially notified Israel of the breaking of diplomatic relations and said that it will begin to coordinate the departure of that country's diplomats in Colombia.

"The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that the verbal note on the Government's decision to break diplomatic relations with the State of Israel was officially delivered to the Israeli ambassador in Colombia yesterday," the Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

According to the document, "the procedure and times for the departure of diplomatic personnel will be coordinated," but it also ratified "the intention to maintain consular activities in Tel Aviv and Bogota."

President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday announced that his government would end diplomatic relations with Israel after describing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide".

This decision could bring serious consequences to Colombia's military, which uses Israeli-built warplanes and machine guns to fight rebel groups and which need maintenance by Israeli firms.

The Colombian government has said that no new contracts will be signed with Israel, though existing ones will be fulfilled, including those for maintenance for the Kfir fighters. It has announced that it is trying to look for other suppliers to avoid depending on Israel.

On Friday, Petro once again referred to the war in Gaza and criticized Israel's bombings.

"Colombia cannot support a genocide; international law must be preserved to stop the barbarism," he wrote on his X account.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell on Thursday defended Petro against the criticism received for his decision to break diplomatic relations with Israel.

"Everytime there is criticism towards the Government of Israel it cannot be answered by an accusation of anti-Semitism. I claim the right to criticize the Government of (Benjamin) Netanyahu without being accused of being anti-Semitic. What does one thing have to do with the other?" Borrell said in a meeting with correspondents in London.

In Latin America, Bolivia, Venezuela and Belize have cut diplomatic relations with Israel over its military campaign in Gaza. -