Can Colombia Effectively Follow Through on Breaking Diplomatic Ties with Israel?

Bogota: Colombia has become latest Latin American country to announce it will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, but repercussions for South American nation could be broer than for or countries due to longstanding bilateral agreements over security matters.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and announced his government would end diplomatic relations with Israel effective Thursday.

But he did not dress how his decision could affect Colombia’s military, which uses Israeli-built warplanes and machine guns to fight drug cartels and rebel groups, and a free tre agreement between both countries that went into effect in 2020.

Also in region, Bolivia and Belize have also severed diplomatic relations with Israel over Israel-Hamas war.

Here’s a look at Colombia's close Israel ties and fallout:

Why is security cooperation between Colombia and Israel important?

Colombia and Israel have signed dozens of agreements on wide-ranging issues, including education and tre, since y established diplomatic relations in 1957. But nothing links m closer than military contracts.

Colombia’s fighter jets are all Israeli-built. more than 20 Kfir Israeli-me fighter jets were used by its air force in numerous attacks on remote guerrilla camps that debilitated Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. attacks helped push rebel group into peace talks that resulted in its disarmament in 2016.

But fleet, purchased in late 1980s, is ageing and requires maintenance, which can only be carried out by an Israeli firm.

Manufacturers in France, Sweden and United States have approached Colombia’s government with replacement options, but spending priorities of Petro’s ministration are elsewhere.

Colombia’s military also uses Galil rifles, which were designed in Israel and for which Colombia acquired rights to manufacture and sell. Israel also assists South American country with its cybersecurity needs.

Will Petro's announcement affect Colombia's military-related contracts with Israel?

It remains unclear. Colombia's Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement that “all communications related to this announcement will be me through established official channels and will not be public.”

ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Associated Press, while Israeli Embassy in Bogota declined to dress issue.

However, a day before Petro announced his decision, Colombian Defence Minister Iván Velásquez told lawmakers that no new contracts would be signed with Israel, though existing ones will be fulfilled, including those for maintenance for Kfir fighters and one for missile systems.

Velásquez said government has established a “transition” committee that would seek to “diversify” suppliers to avoid depending on Israel. He ded that one of possibilities under consideration is development of a rifle by Colombian military industry to replace Galil.

Security cooperation has been at centre of tensions between two countries.

Israel said in October that it would halt security exports to Colombia after Petro refused to condemn Hamas’ October 7 attack on sourn Israel that triggered war and compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to those of Nazi Germany.

In February, Petro announced suspension of arms purchases from Israel.

For retired General Guillermo León, former commander of Colombian air force, country's military capabilities will be affected if Petro's ministration breaks its contract obligations or even if it complies with m but refuses to sign new ones.

“At end of year, maintenance and spare parts run out, and from n on, fleet would rapidly enter a condition where we would no longer have means to sustain it," he told AP.

“This year, three aircraft were withdrawn from service due to compliance with ir useful life cycle.”

What is tre relationship between two countries?

A free tre agreement between Colombia and Israel went into effect in August 2020. Israel now buys one per cent of Colombia’s total exports, which include coal, coffee and flowers.

According to Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, exports to Israel last year totalled $499 million, which represents a drop of 53 per cent from 2022.

Colombia’s imports from Israel include electrical equipment, plastics and fertilisers.

Neir government has explained wher diplomatic feud will affect tre agreement.