Khaberni - Colombia strongly condemned the Israeli forces' abduction of two Colombian citizens who were part of the "Steadfast" fleet heading towards Gaza, confirming that the incident represents a blatant violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its "X" platform account: "On behalf of the government and people of Colombia, we condemn in the strongest terms the abduction in international waters carried out by the Israeli armed forces, in clear violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions, against the Colombian citizens Luna Barreto and Manuela Bedoya, members of the international Steadfast fleet."
The statement added: "The Colombian government demands the immediate release of its citizens, as well as all other fleet members. It also calls on the governments of Spain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Slovenia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Thailand, Turkey, and South Africa to act swiftly and in coordination to protect the lives and safety of their citizens."
The Foreign Ministry stated in its announcement that the international "Steadfast" fleet sailed in the Mediterranean Sea with three goals: to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, to raise international awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, and to signal the need to stop the war in Gaza, emphasizing that no state policy could justify massacres or the unlawful detention of citizens seeking peace and undertaking humanitarian initiatives to alleviate the deliberate famine resulting from the unlawful acts of the state of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by reaffirming Colombia's solidarity with the Palestinian people and its commitment to respect for international law and global justice.
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the arrest of the two Colombian activists in international waters while participating in the "Steadfast" fleet heading towards Gaza, describing the incident as "a new international crime" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pointing out that the citizens were detained during "their participation in humanitarian solidarity activities with Palestine."
President Petro added: "The free trade agreement with Israel is condemned and must be stopped immediately, and the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation must leave Colombia."
Earlier on Wednesday, the "International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza" announced that Israeli forces had arrested the participants on board the ships "Alma" and "Ciros," noting that a state of emergency had been declared on all ships.
