Colombian President Orders Embassy In Ramallah Palestine

JAKARTA - Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced Colombian President Gustavo Petro had ordered the opening of an embassy in Ramallah City, Palestine.

"President Petro has given instructions for us to establish a Colombian embassy in Ramallah. That is the next step we will take," Murillo told reporters.

The announcement comes after the Petro administration withdrew its diplomats from Israel and cut ties with the country on May 2 after describing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide".

The intention to open an embassy in Palestine was announced by Petro on October 20 last year when he met with Israeli Ambassador Gali Dagan and Palestinian Ambassador Raouf Almalki.

According to Murillo, the President also chaired a meeting of leaders in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, which was agreed to implement a strategy for Palestine to be recognized as a fully entitled country before the United Nations.

"We believe more and more countries recognize Palestine, and this is not detrimental to Israel or Jews," said Murillo.

"The United Nations agrees in the context of the Oslo agreement that a two-state solution will be created, and if needed by two countries, Palestine needs to be recognized as a full country," the Foreign Minister said, adding.

The announcement came on the same day Spain, Ireland and Norway announced that they would jointly recognize the Palestinian State on May 28.

Colombia recognized Palestine as a country on August 3, 2018, during the reign of Juan Manuel Santos.