“Colombia participates in the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza to break the blockade. Its citizens fighting for freedom anywhere in the world.

We will place the Cross of Boyaca (the highest civilian and military decoration awarded by the government) to those who participate with courage, Colombians as a whole and sons and daughters of Bolivar”, wrote the governor.

Twenty ships with more than 300 crew from 44 countries, including six new Grenadians, departed last Sunday from the port of Barcelona, Spain, towards the Palestinian enclave, with the mission of delivering essential goods and establishing a humanitarian corridor to break through Israel’s encirclement.

The action comes just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is stepping up its offensive against Gaza City and preventing the supply of food and basic supplies in northern Gaza.

Last Saturday, Colombia completely and without exception banned coal exports to Israel due to the persistence of military actions against the people of Gaza.

As explained by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, this trade restriction contributes to preventing the genocide of the Palestinian people and prevents the natural resources of Colombia from contributing to the war machine of the State of Israel.

The decree stipulates that the prohibition shall remain in force until the interim orders issued by the International Court of Justice are complied with or until the conditions which gave rise to the measure cease to exist.

abo/rc/ifs