Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Tuesday that he has ordered the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country following Israel’s interception of an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza.
Petro said that two Colombian women were detained by Israeli forces while sailing in international waters as part of the flotilla and demanded their immediate release, according to Palestinian news agency Ma’an. In a statement, he declared that Colombia rejects any action endangering the safety, freedom, or fundamental rights of its citizens.
He also confirmed the immediate cancellation of Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel.
Until now, only four Israeli diplomats had remained in Bogotá after Petro severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 in protest against the Gaza war.
That decision downgraded the relationship to limited consular representation with around 40 staff. With the latest move, Colombia has effectively shut the door on any official Israeli presence in the country.
The announcement followed Israel’s naval interception of several vessels from the “Flotilla of Defiance” as they approached Gaza’s shores. Among those on board was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Organizers insisted the flotilla was a peaceful, non-violent mission carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid to Gaza’s civilian population.
The Global Flotilla of Defiance set sail in early September from ports in Spain, Tunisia, and Italy.
It includes around 45 ships and hundreds of activists from over 50 countries, united in their aim to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance directly to people in the besieged territory.
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