Colombia's withdrawal from ICJ genocide case against Israel ‘source of shame’: Ex-president
Former president Gustavo Petro has denounced the country’s new government after it withdrew Colombia’s declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The court said Colombia had notified it of the decision on Friday, September 18, bringing an end to the intervention declaration the country had submitted on April 5, 2024.
South Africa brought the case against Israel in December 2023, saying that Israel had violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention through its military onslaught against Gaza.
Petro strongly criticized the move on social media, saying the decision “is a source of shame for Colombia,” and the new far-right government had shifted from opposing “genocide” to becoming complicit in it.
The withdrawal comes as the new administration pursues a major shift in Colombia’s foreign policy and seeks to restore diplomatic and strategic ties with the Israeli regime.
Abelardo de la Espriella, who assumed the presidency nearly two months ago, has moved away from the policies of Petro, who governed from 2022 to 2026, severed diplomatic relations with Israel and supported international efforts concerning the regime’s genocidal actions in Gaza.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said the withdrawal did not mean the country was leaving the Genocide Convention or changing its status as a state party to the treaty.
The ministry also maintained that the decision did not affect the binding nature of Colombia’s international obligations and was taken under the president’s constitutional authority to direct the country’s foreign relations.
Foreign Minister Omar Bola defended the restoration of bilateral ties during remarks in the Senate, saying cooperation with Israel would focus on strategic areas, including security, intelligence and cybersecurity.
The current administration has already taken other steps toward closer relations with the regime, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Syria’s occupied Golan Heights and deciding to move Colombia’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Occupied al-Quds.
According to the latest figures reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks have killed at least 73,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 174,000 others since the regime launched its genocidal war on the territory on October 7, 2023.
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