Gustavo Petro Urges Colombia to Cut Ties with NATO Over Gaza Genocide Allegations

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has openly criticized NATO, claiming that its leaders are complicit in what he describes as genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Speaking at a pro-Palestinian conference in Bogota, he questioned Colombia's ongoing relationship with NATO, stating, "What do we do in NATO? If NATO's top brass are for genocide, what are we doing there?" Petro's statement emerges from a significant shift in Colombia's diplomatic stance, as he previously severed ties with Israel, which he accuses of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians.

Petro, who made history as Colombia's first leftist president, argued for the necessity of establishing a new military alliance, expressing disapproval of current alliances with forces that he claims target innocent lives, particularly children. He characterized NATO as a remnant of the Cold War, asserting that countries like Colombia are treated as "half-members" in the US-led military bloc, receiving symbolic partnerships rather than genuine inclusion.

At the two-day conference, representatives from multiple countries in the Global South united to sign a joint declaration that advocates for measures against Israel, including economic sanctions, legal action, and an arms embargo. The declaration also calls for an end to the shipment of dual-use goods and for port denial for vessels supporting the Israeli forces. Petro's stance marks a clear departure from Colombia's historically positive rapport with Israel, echoing sentiments once expressed by late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who compared Colombia to Israel in terms of their corresponding geopolitical roles within Latin America.

This discussion has gained urgency following Israel's military offensive in Gaza, which was initiated after a militant attack by Hamas in October 2023. Recent independent studies have reported devastating casualty figures in Gaza, with estimates suggesting fatalities could reach nearly 84,000 by January 2025. Critics of Israeli policies also decry the movement of Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city," labeling it as a euphemism for a form of concentration camp.