Wasserman Schultz, Díaz-Balart, Gonzales, Espaillat, Salazar, Cuellar Lead Latino-Jewish Caucus in Condemning Columbia President Petro’s Severing Ties With Israel

Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined fellow Latino-Jewish Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart(FL-26), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Adriano Espaillat(NY-13)and Latino-Jewish Caucus members Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) in releasing the following statement:

"As bipartisan friends of the Colombian and Israeli people, we unequivocally condemn President Petro's decision to unilaterally sever diplomatic relations with Israel.

"This inflammatory and unwarranted decision is unacceptable from a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States, counterproductive to Petro's ostensible goal of securing the release of hostages, and deeply damaging Colombia's national interests and objectives.

"President Petro's vitriolic rants comparing Israel to the Nazis, embrace of Hamas' terrorist ideology, and justification of violence targeting Israeli civilians, create tangible risks for Colombia's Jewish community which is facing a surge in antisemitism. Today's action adds insult to injury, especially for the family of Elkana Bohbot, an Israeli-Colombian dual national and hostage of Hamas for 208 days.

"Shamefully, Petro's decision emboldens Hamas, undercuts global pressure to seek the return of hostages, and undermines the tireless efforts of serious world leaders to seek justice on behalf of Israeli and Palestinian victims of Hamas. These actions do not reflect the views or interests of the Colombian people, who have benefitted for decades from security and economic cooperation with Israel and the United States.

"As members of the Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus, we affirm its mission statement highlighting the importance of fostering strong multilateral ties between the United States, Latin American and Caribbean nations, and the State of Israel, and roundly denounce President Petro's disgraceful decision to sever relations with Israel."