Colombia bans coal exports to Israel

In a statement released by the Colombian Ministry of Trade on the account of the American company X, it was announced that a new decree banning coal exports to Israel has been put into effect, citing "the continuation of acts of war against the Palestinian people."

The decree, which pointed out that coal exports "contribute to the war machine," emphasized that the decision was supported by international agreements to which the Colombian government is a party. Trade Minister Diana Marcela Morales Rojas also stated, "Colombia cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of the Palestinian people. This is a concrete step toward stopping the escalation of the war and our country's decisive contribution to world peace."

Similar regulations banning coal exports to Israel were introduced in June 2024, but some exceptions were granted due to long-term contracts.

The new decree abolished these exceptions and completely halted coal exports to Israel. It was announced that the new regulation will remain in effect until the preliminary injunctions issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are implemented or the circumstances that gave rise to the decision are resolved.

PETRO DETERMINED

Petro stated that his country would not be "complicit" in Israel's genocide in Gaza. Stating that Colombia would not export "even a single ton of coal" to Israel and that it had halted coal exports entirely, Petro ordered the Colombian Navy to stop and seize ships carrying coal from the country to Israel. Petro also warned that companies violating the ban would have their contracts with the state revoked. In a statement released in August 2024, when he banned coal exports, Petro said, "They are making bombs with Colombian coal to kill Palestinian children."

Colombia officially announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Israel on May 3, citing the ongoing attacks against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Source: AA