Colombia EXPELS Israeli diplomats over Gaza aid flotilla interception, urges legal action against Tel Aviv
By ramontomeydw // 2025-10-04
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  • Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the immediate expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats after Israel intercepted a humanitarian flotilla attempting to breach Gaza's blockade, detaining two Colombian activists.
  • Bogota suspended its free trade agreement with Israel and mobilized legal action, accusing Tel Aviv of "unlawful kidnapping" in international waters. Petro seeks international legal prosecution against Israel.
  • Petro has repeatedly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" and called for a UN-backed military force to "liberate Palestine." Colombia positions itself as a leader in global opposition to Israel's policies.
  • Israel claims the flotilla was a Hamas provocation, offering to reroute aid through approved channels. Activists reject this, citing Israel's long-standing restrictions on Gaza and past violent interceptions (e.g., 2010 Mavi Marmara raid).
  • The U.S. revoked Petro's visa after he urged American soldiers to defy orders from President Trump. Colombia's actions signal a broader strategy to economically and diplomatically isolate Israel until it complies with international law.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered the immediate expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from Colombia after Israeli forces intercepted an international humanitarian flotilla attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza. The operation resulted in the detention of two Colombian nationals, Manuela Bedoya and Luna Barreto, who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla – a coalition of activists from over 40 countries, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Petro condemned the interception as "another international crime" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who already faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Bogota has taken drastic measures in response, suspending a free trade agreement with Israel and mobilizing legal action against Tel Aviv. Petro's administration has also called on international lawyers to assist in prosecuting Israel for what it describes as the unlawful kidnapping of its citizens in international waters. "If they block humanitarian aid, we block the economic flow," declared the Colombian delegation of the flotilla, urging nationwide protests against Israeli-linked businesses. This latest confrontation underscores Colombia's increasingly defiant stance against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which Petro has repeatedly labeled a "genocide."

From diplomacy to defiance: Colombia takes a stand

In May 2024, Colombia severed diplomatic ties with Israel entirely, and Petro has since escalated rhetoric, even calling for the formation of a United Nations-backed military force to “liberate Palestine” during a General Assembly address. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, Colombia opposes Israel's genocide in Gaza because it views the systematic extermination of Palestinians – including the killing of children – as a crime against humanity that threatens the moral foundation of civilization. (Related: Colombia CUTS diplomatic ties with Israel over continued genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.) The Colombian leader's outspoken criticism has drawn retaliation from he United States, Israel's staunchest ally. Washington revoked Petro's visa last week after he urged American soldiers to defy orders from U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel maintains that the flotilla was a deliberate provocation aimed at aiding Hamas rather than delivering relief. The Israeli Navy claims it directed the vessels to Ashdod port, offering to transfer aid through approved channels – a proposal activists dismiss as ineffective given Israel's long-standing restrictions on Gaza's access to food, medicine and fuel. Meanwhile, the flotilla's organizers argue that Israel's blockade violates international law. They cited past violent interceptions, including the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara raid that killed nine activists. Historically, Latin America has been a vocal critic of Israeli occupation policies, but Colombia's actions mark a significant escalation. Petro's government is now positioning itself as a leader in the global resistance to what it sees as Netanyahu's unchecked brutality. The expulsion of diplomats and economic sanctions signal a broader strategy: isolating Israel diplomatically and economically until it complies with international humanitarian law. As protests erupt worldwide, Petro's defiance resonates with a growing movement demanding accountability for Israel's actions. The flotilla incident has reignited debates over the legality of blockades, the complicity of Western governments, and the moral imperative to intervene in what many now openly call a genocide. Watch this video about the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel's blockade. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Colombia breaks diplomatic ties with Israel over GENOCIDE in Gaza. Global coalition of states announce "concrete steps" against Israel's genocide in Gaza. Colombia threatening to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over "neo-Nazi" GENOCIDE in Gaza. Colombia issues decree banning COAL EXPORTS to Israel in protest of Netanyahu's ongoing war crimes and violence against civilians. Sources include: RT.com ColombiaReports.com Brighteon.ai DailySabah.com Brighteon.com
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