Khaberni - Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that he is subjected to “harassment and persecution” due to his supportive stance towards Palestine, affirming that the Palestinian struggle is part of the revolutionary history of his country.
Petro, who described himself as representing the new left, not the traditional left, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that his inclusion on the drug traffickers list was a result of his supportive stance towards the Palestinian cause.
Colombian President added that "what happened in the Gaza Strip is an experiment conducted by the global financial power on a rebellious people," noting that humanity yearns for voices that lead it from darkness to light.
He said: “My voice carries a glimmer of hope and a future project that allows humanity to enjoy life in a free world.”
Petro urged his American counterpart Donald Trump to recognize Palestine as he did with “Israel,” affirming his belief in the “two-state solution,” and the need for a global conference after stopping the war in Gaza to revive the peace process with a clear mechanism to move forward toward a two-state solution.
He considered that real peace begins with “American recognition of Palestine,” and includes conducting elections in Palestine and ”Israel” and possibly wider political changes.
Petro accused “Israel” of mistreating Colombia in the past, and rejected accusations directed at him of antisemitism, describing them as “ideological propaganda.”
About the price he pays due to his supportive stance for the Palestinian right, the Colombian president said: “I was specifically targeted, they manipulate the Colombian elections, and I was added to the drug traffickers list without owning any real assets in my country, so I cannot open bank accounts or board a plane, and it is persecution against me and my family."
He added that there are attempts to "silence him and prevent his voice from being heard in Latin America."
Petro had called, during his speech at the UN General Assembly in September, for uniting the armies of countries that reject the genocide in Gaza in order to liberate Palestine.
Following this, the U.S. State Department announced the cancellation of his visa, based on his anti-”Israel” stances and his support for Palestine.
