Last weekend, Israel decided to suspend security exports, following statements by President Gustavo Petro on the events that followed the Hamas incursion into Israeli territory and the counter-offensive that has already left more than 3,000 dead on both sides.

Colombia and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1957 and are not only allies in terms of security due to the conflicts experienced by both countries, but also strengthened their relationship with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been in force since August 2020.

Israel had summoned the Colombian ambassador to that country for a meeting to rebuke the “hostile and anti-Semitic” statements.

“If we have to suspend foreign relations with Israel, we will suspend them,” Gustavo Petro responds to Israel’s decision to halt exports of security products

“Israel condemns the President’s statements that reflect support for the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists, fuel anti-Semitism, target the representatives of the State of Israel and threaten the peace of the Jewish community in Colombia. In response, Israel decided as a first measure to halt security exports to Colombia,” it was announced.

Petro’s response was immediate and he expected to do so if he had to suspend foreign relations. After rumors of an expulsion from the Israeli embassy, ​​this was denied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Peace, Álvaro Leyva.

Figures from the National Foreign Trade Association of Colombia show that in the period January and July this year there was a decline in imports and 53 million dollars were registered, which is 45% less than in the same period, but in 2022.

However, imports have recovered in recent years and were expected to exceed 150 million. “This decline is explained by lower purchases of telecommunications equipment, dental prosthetic equipment, textured nylon yarns and herbicides,” they explain.

A Caracol Radio publication detailed that the top security imports Israel made to Colombia in 2022 were unmanned aerial systems and drones at 25%, followed by missiles, rockets and air defense systems at 19% and radars at 13%.

In addition to observation and optronics equipment with 10%, but also intelligence, training and cyber systems with 6%, among others.

Colombia uses Galil rifles, which are of Israeli origin, and although production takes place in the South American country, the patent belongs to Israel and several parts come from there.

Similarly, Kafir aircraft and missiles are used by various helicopters. (JO)