Colombian President Criticizes Israel’s “Nazi Ideology” and U.S. Election Interference
Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego condemns Israeli actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a "new Holocaust," adding that the current administration in Washington is illegally supporting Bogotá's right-wing opposition candidate.
United Nations, New York City
Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali
After being accused of inflammatory “anti-Semitic rhetoric,” Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego reiterates his call for a “Nazi ideology” disseminating throughout Israel.
Criticized by Israeli and American authorities as perverted in its logic, and alleged to demean the historical struggle of the Jewish people, President Petro states, “No one is attempting to diminish the atrocities of the Holocaust,” rather he is, “trying to ensure there is now no Holocaust against the people of the Third World.” “However,” he added, “dialogue between civilizations can never involve destroying a civilization.”
All parties must come together, as “there can be no chosen people of God,” and that very idea is what has driven so much war and strife.
President Petro’s comments made within the Council were a direct rebuttal to the polemics raised by Deputy Representative Jennifer Locetta of the United States. Ambassador Locetta told the Council that the United States condemns “any anti-Semitic rhetoric and any comments that reduce the atrocities of the Holocaust.”
The comments were a direct reference to the fierce retribution President Petro faced last week for his tweeting of the phrase “Heil Hitler,” slamming his right-wing presidential opponent, Abelardo de la Espriella, for his “fascist phrases.”
Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, wrote on X that the comments made by President Petro were a “disgraceful low,” urging the Colombian to apologize for his remarks before the Security Council.
The Israeli Foreign Minister also noted the involuntary sentiment, stating on X that President Petro’s comments were completely devoid of a “moral compass and an indelible stain on Colombia’s legacy.”
Petro argued that such a phrase was deliberately misconstrued by both Israeli and U.S. officials for political gains, framing the left-wing leader as an anti-Semite. Contextually, Petro defended his use of the phrase as employed mockingly, decrying the opposition candidate for his sympathy and purported emulation of fascist ideology.
However, President Petro’s grievances, specifically with the American authorities, did not end there, noting to reporters at the Security Council stakeout today in New York City that U.S. President Donald Trump was meddling in Colombia’s politics.
The most relevant depiction of President Petro’s reservations comes from Trump’s recent comments on Truth Social following right-wing opposition candidate de la Espriella’s victory in the first round on May 31.
“Congratulations to Colombian presidential candidate ‘El Tigre’ (THE TIGER), Abelardo de la Espriella, a smart, strong, and tough leader, on his decisive victory in the first round of the Colombian Presidential Election!” Trump wrote. “Abelardo fights tirelessly for, and loves, his Great Country and people, just like I do for the United States of America.”
President Petro censured the endorsement, telling reporters today at the Security Council, “Today, we have the president of the United States explicitly endorsing a candidate, violating his own constitution.”
President Petro added that such political tactics deprive the Colombian people of “voting freely,” revealing both the incumbent administration’s insecurity and its extortionate maneuvers.
