WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), joined fellow Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz(FL-25), Tony Gonzales(TX-23), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), fellow co-chair of the Congressional Colombia Caucus, Rep.Henry Cuellar (TX-28); and Rep. María Elvira Salazar(FL-27), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee of the Western Hemisphere in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, 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. Yesterday's action adds insult to injury, especially for the family of Elkana Bohbot, an Israeli-Colombian dual national and hostage of Hamas for 209 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."
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