Xinhua News Agency, Bogota, October 1 (Reporter Li Zijian) Colombian President Petro announced on the 1st that he would expel all Israeli diplomats in the country in response to Israel's detention of two Colombian citizens when it intercepted the "Global Fortitude Fleet" in international waters.

Petro announced through social media on the same day that he required all Israeli diplomats stationed in Colombia to leave the country immediately and announced the immediate termination of the free trade agreement between Colombia and Israel.

According to the announcement issued by the Presidential Office on the same day, two Colombian citizens aboard the "Global Sustainable Fleet" ship, who carried out humanitarian operations aimed at the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip in international waters, were detained, and a series of measures were taken in response to this.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 1st saying that the Israeli Navy intercepted and boarded several ships in the Mediterranean that night trying to break through Israel's maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israeli media reported that the other party was the "Global Resilience Flotilla" that delivered humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip.

Petro said it was another international crime committed by the Israeli government. He has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take legal measures to demand the release of two citizens and compensation for their rights violations.

Since the outbreak of a new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2023, relations between Colombia and Israel have been highly tense. Petro has repeatedly condemned Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. At the end of October 2023, Colombia announced the recall of its ambassador to Israel. In May 2024, Petro announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Israel, but the two sides retained consular business. On September 29th this year, Petro said at a cabinet meeting that the Colombian government would terminate the free trade agreement with Israel.