Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday that Colombia will suspend coal exports to Israel, citing concerns over the ongoing military actions in Gaza. Colombia, recognized as Israel’s largest coal supplier, has taken a firm stance in response to what the Colombian government describes as violations of international law by Israel in its conflict with Palestine.
President Petro, a prominent figure on the political left, has been vocally critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies. This decision follows Colombia’s severing of diplomatic ties with Israel in May. Taking to the social media platform X, President Petro stated that the suspension of coal exports would remain until what he referred to as “the genocide is stopped,” highlighting the deaths of Palestinians in the conflict. Israel, however, denies allegations that its actions in Gaza breach the international genocide convention.
The Colombian government decree specifies that the halt in coal exports will take effect within five days. The decree underlines that coal is a critical resource used by Israel not only for energy production but also in the manufacturing of weapons and other military equipment. “Colombia believes that the military operations against the Palestinian people represent a transgression of a peremptory norm of international law,” the document elaborated.
Data from the American Journal of Transportation indicates that Colombia is not only a key player in the coal market but also the principal supplier to Israel, accounting for more than half of its coal imports. Despite coal constituting 20% of Israel’s electricity generation, this percentage is projected to decrease to 3% as the country diversifies its energy sources.
This embargo on coal exports has stirred controversy within Colombia’s private mining sector. The Colombian private mining association has voiced concerns, arguing that such a ban could contravene international agreements, potentially undermining market confidence and deterring foreign investment in the country.
