Colombian President Gustavo Petro signed a decree on August 14, banning the export of coal to Israel in response to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
The decree, now published on Colombia’s presidential website, marks a significant move in the country’s foreign policy.
Colombia, the largest fossil fuel exporter to Israel, has maintained strong trade relations with the nation through free trade agreements. The President’s decision could lead to legal challenges from Colombian companies that produce the coal, Bloomberg reported.
President Petro has been vocal in his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for the International Court of Justice to hear South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel. In July in another case, the court found Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories “illegal” due to Israel’s “sustained” abuse of power and directed it to end.
Even before that in May, however, Petro had announced plans to sever diplomatic ties with Israel over its military offensive in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians since October 7, 2023. Many more are now at risk of disease, infection, and starvation.
President Petro first raised the idea of suspension of coal exports in June after Israeli forces bombed the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, resulting in over 200 Palestinian deaths and 700 injuries in that one strike alone.
Colombia is not alone in its position condemning Israel. Other countries, including Chile, Bolivia, and Belize, have also cut ties with Israel due to the ongoing war on Gaza.
To date, more than 40,000 Palestinians, including nearly 16,500 babies and children, have been killed, according to the Palestinian Authority.