Khaberni - Colombian President Gustavo Petro held a meeting with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on Sunday, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as part of the conclusion of his international tours.
The Colombian presidency stated in a post on the platform "X" accompanied by a video clip of the meeting: "In this encounter, Colombia confirms its solidarity with the Palestinian people and its commitment to defending life and peace in Palestine."
The meeting comes within the framework of the principled stance that Colombia has adopted since the outbreak of the war on Gaza, being one of the first Latin American countries to cut diplomatic relations with the occupation in protest of its crimes against civilians.
Petro: Gazans are heroes of humanity
In statements to the press after the meeting, President Petro announced the awarding of the "Great Fighter Simon Bolivar" Medal, the highest award granted by the Colombian state, to the residents of Gaza, in recognition of their "resilience and sacrifices in the face of genocide."
Petro said: "You deserve this medal and I want you to be in Colombia.. I don't know if we can or how to do that, but I hope to place it on your heads myself, with the support of the vast majority of Latin American people who have defended and still defend the justice of your struggle."
The Colombian President described the residents of Gaza as "heroes of humanity," noting that he closely followed what they suffered during the war, and affirming that the Palestinian people provide a global model of steadfastness and dignity.
Sharp criticism of the occupation and a call for reconstruction
In his speech, Petro accused the occupation government of practicing persecution against everyone, from Christians to Arabs, calling on the international community to take moral and humanitarian responsibility for what is happening in Gaza.
He added that the countries that supported what he described as "genocide" are required today to atone for their sin and contribute to the reconstruction of the sector, pointing out that "true peace starts with ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state."
