The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, sparked a new international controversy after participating in a demonstration on the streets of New York against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a speech filled with controversial statements and a call to action, the Colombian leader made a direct appeal to the United States military to disobey presidential orders and announced that he would call on Colombian citizens to join the war in Gaza.
"Disobey Trump's order, obey humanity's order," Petro declared with a megaphone in hand, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has resumed a leading role in international politics.
The leader's words were met with concern by several sectors, since they would represent a clear interference in the internal affairs of another nation and an incitement to insubordination within a foreign armed force. These acts are considered a very serious crime and are treated as conspiracy and foreign interference.
During his speech, Petro insisted on the need to form a "salvation army of humanity" to intervene in the Gaza Strip. "Those grandparents of today's Marines and soldiers of the United States Army defeated Hitler. Today, their grandchildren should once again set an example," the leader stated, comparing the current situation in the Middle East to World War II, an analogy that was harshly criticized by international analysts for trivializing a complex geopolitical conflict.
The controversy escalated even further when the Colombian head of state announced that he will open a call in Colombia for volunteers to join the armed struggle in Gaza.
