BOGOTA — Leftist ruler Gustavo Petro said Saturday that Colombia will suspend coal exports to Israel, fueling the conflict with the argument that it is in rejection of Israeli actions in Gaza, involving his country in a conflict.
Israel seeks to rescue hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists following the attack on Israel on October 7 that left more than 1,200 Israelis murdered.
At the beginning of May, Colombia announced the breaking of diplomatic relations with Israel.
“We are going to suspend coal exports to Israel,” the Colombian president wrote on his social network account X, formerly Twitter, which will cause damage to his country’s economy.
The Colombian head of state attached the draft presidential decree that establishes the restriction of coal exports and that may receive “comments” from citizens until June 17. After that, The document indicates that it will come into effect five days after its publication in the official registry.
According to official figures, between January and August 2023 Colombia exported $375 million to Israel, of which 93% corresponds to energy mining products, including coal.
Petro has launched it against Israel for the war in Gaza.
Due to this position, Israel suspended security exports to Colombia in October 2023.
The military relationship had been close between the two countries, since Colombia used troops of Israeli origin in its fight against illegal groups, but tension rose until the breaking of bilateral relations in May.
Colombia exports to Israel products such as coal, coffee, flowers, sweets and parts for airplanes and helicopters and imports machines, electrical equipment, plastics, fertilizers and manufactures.
Source: AP
