Colombia Severs Ties with "Genocidal" Israel

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced on Wednesday his country will be cutting off diplomatic relations with the "genocidal" government of Israel, as of Thursday.

"If Palestine dies, humanity dies, and we will not let it die," Petro said in front of thousands that had gathered in Colombia's capital Bogotá for International Workers' Day rally.

Back in October, he likened the actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip to the crimes of Nazi Germany. In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that weapons exports to Colombia would be cancelled. Israel was an important supplier of military equipment to the South American country, whose armed forces are fighting against guerrilla groups.