Former Colombian President Reaffirms Support for Syrian Sovereignty
Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a firm statement reaffirming that the Syrian Golan is considered Syrian territory by the people of Colombia, explicitly rejecting the recent move by the current administration to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territory.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, Petro stated that the Colombian public does not view the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel. He emphasized that the majority of the global community maintains the position that the land is rightfully part of Syria, a stance he asserted has always been held by the Colombian people.
This development follows a controversial decision by the current Colombian government on August 10, just three days after Abelardo de la Espriella assumed office, to recognize what it termed “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied Syrian Golan. This act has been widely criticized as a direct violation of international law, specifically contrasting with the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981, which deems the Israeli annexation of the territory null and void.
In his statement, the former president also leveled accusations against the current leadership, alleging that Israel had utilized digital software to influence Colombian electoral processes and replace democratic voting outcomes. He characterized the new government as an imposition that does not reflect the majority will of the Colombian electorate. Furthermore, Petro extended an apology to the Arab nations and the Muslim world, affirming the respect held by the Colombian people for these regions and their sovereign rights.
In response to the diplomatic shift from Bogotá, the Syrian government has condemned the statement issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the strongest possible terms. Damascus has underscored that the occupied Golan remains an inseparable part of Syrian national territory.
As part of its diplomatic protest, Syria has submitted an official letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and the President of the Security Council. In this communication, the Syrian government expressed its formal condemnation and categorical rejection of Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory. The decision by the Colombian authorities has drawn significant criticism not only from Damascus but also from a wide array of Arab and international actors who maintain that the status of the Golan is subject to international legal frameworks that prohibit the recognition of its occupation.
