Bogota - Saba:
Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued an order on Friday to intercept any ship carrying coal bound for Israel. According to the Russia Today website, the Colombian president said, "As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I will not send a single ton of coal to Israel, and I bear responsibility."
He emphasized that Colombia "will not be complicit in genocide."
Petro's remarks came from the city of Cartagena on Colombia's Caribbean coast, where Gustavo presented the new naval units of "NavadaColombia," including the "Pincus Bioho" ship, which will strengthen the preventive and primary healthcare model throughout the country.
This announcement came in the context of the commemoration of the 202nd anniversary of the naval battle of Lake Maracaibo and the National Day of the Navy.
On Wednesday, the Colombian president threatened to unilaterally change the coal concession contract of the mining and trading company Glencore in Colombia if it continued exports to Israel.
However, the company said it had already suspended its shipments to Israel in accordance with the presidential decree.
"I am ready to change the concession contract unilaterally," Petro said during an energy event organized by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
The president also warned If Glencore refuses to comply with the order to suspend shipments, it will ask residents near the mine to impose a blockade. In response, the company confirmed that it is already complying with the order.