Colombia Bans Coal Exports to Israel

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has enacted a decree prohibiting coal exports to Israel, marking a significant escalation in his administration's confrontational stance towards the Jewish state. This decision follows months of Petro's controversial comparisons of Israeli military actions in Gaza to the Holocaust, which have drawn widespread condemnation. The severance of diplomatic ties with Israel in May ended a longstanding relationship that began in 1957, reflecting Petro's radical leftist ideology. The decree, effective August 22, aims to comply with provisional measures from the International Court of Justice regarding the situation in Gaza. However, it has raised concerns among Colombian officials about its potential economic impact. The Attorney General, Gustavo Guerrero, criticized the decree's language as constitutionally questionable, highlighting the substantial revenue Colombia generates from coal exports, which amounts to approximately $161.7 million annually. Industry leaders have also expressed dismay over the decree. Javier Díaz, executive president of the National Foreign Commerce Association, described the measure as detrimental to Colombia's economic growth, particularly at a time when the country needs to bolster its exports. The coal industry is vital for local economies, especially in regions like César and La Guajira, which rely heavily on these revenues. Petro's rhetoric has intensified since the October 7 attack in Israel, with his social media posts drawing parallels between Israel and Nazi Germany. His comments have sparked outrage, prompting responses from Israeli officials, including an invitation to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center to better understand the historical context of his comparisons.