Colombia has formally halted coal exports to Israel over Tel Aviv’s use of the fabric in weapons used to assault Palestinians within the Gaza Strip, President Gustavo Petro stated Sunday.
“Colombian coal is used to make bombs to kill Palestinian children,” Petro stated on X, justifying the choice in response to Israel’s ongoing assaults on Gaza.
The decree, signed by President Petro together with the ministers of overseas affairs, finance, mines, and commerce, will come into impact 5 days after its publication within the official gazette.
Colombia, which exports 5% of its complete coal manufacturing to Israel, has additionally suspended diplomatic relations with the nation, as introduced in May, on account of Israel’s onslaught in Gaza.
Petro, broke diplomatic ties with Israel, saying that he couldn’t keep relations with the “genocidal” authorities of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Both governments have continued to maintain consulates in one another’s territories and conduct commerce.
Colombia has lengthy trusted Israel for army {hardware} that features assault rifles and intelligence gear. The South American nation has additionally purchased greater than 30 fighter jets from Israel over the previous three a long time and will depend on Israeli firms for his or her upkeep.
New army purchases have been halted, nonetheless, as relations between each nations deteriorate. Critics of Petro have stated that the president’s resolution to chop ties with Israel jeopardizes Colombia’s safety capabilities as its army fights drug cartels and insurgent teams in rural elements of the nation.
Source: www.dailysabah.com