Salazar and Latino-Jewish Caucus Condemn Colombian President Petro's Decision to Cut Ties With Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) joined Latino-Jewish Caucus chairs Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and member Henry Cuellar (D-TX) in releasing the following statement after Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s decision to break diplomatic relations with the State of Israel:

“As bipartisan friends of the Colombian and Israeli people, we unequivocally condemn President Petro’s decision to unilaterally sever diplomatic relations with Israel.

“This inflammatory and unwarranted decision is unacceptable from a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States, counterproductive to Petro’s ostensible goal of securing the release of hostages, and deeply damaging Colombia’s national interests and objectives.

“President Petro’s vitriolic rants comparing Israel to the Nazis, embrace of Hamas’ terrorist ideology, and justification of violence targeting Israeli civilians, create tangible risks for Colombia’s Jewish community which is facing a surge in antisemitism. Today’s action adds insult to injury, especially for the family of Elkana Bohbot, an Israeli-Colombian dual national and hostage of Hamas for 209 days.

“Shamefully, Petro’s decision emboldens Hamas, undercuts global pressure to seek the return of hostages, and undermines the tireless efforts of serious world leaders to seek justice on behalf of Israeli and Palestinian victims of Hamas. These actions do not reflect the views or interests of the Colombian people, who have benefitted for decades from security and economic cooperation with Israel and the United States.

“As members of the Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus, we affirm its mission statement highlighting the importance of fostering strong multilateral ties between the United States, Latin American and Caribbean nations, and the State of Israel, and roundly denounce President Petro’s disgraceful decision to sever relations with Israel.”

Chairwoman Salazar is a leader in combating antisemitism both at home and abroad. She has repeatedly criticized leaders abroad who have espoused antisemitism and introduced legislation to fight it here in the United States.

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