Petro’s Provocative Remarks at UN Security Council
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, during his final weeks in office, sparked controversy by stating that the world is “going back to Nazism” in light of the significant casualties reported in the Gaza conflict. This declaration came as he led a UN Security Council discussion in New York.
Petro, whose presidency concludes in August, participated in a series of UN events, presiding over the Security Council during Colombia’s current presidency, which lasts until June 2026. The topic for this particular meeting was focused on achieving a political solution in the Middle East through mediation and dialogue.
In his opening statements, Petro indicated that this would likely be his last appearance on such a platform. He expressed concerns about threats to humanity, particularly regarding the use of artificial intelligence by powerful private entities and the relentless exploitation of hydrocarbons, which he suggested have contributed to the ongoing humanitarian crises.
“The battle over hydrocarbons has resulted in horrific violence—20,000 lives lost in Gaza, a fact undeniably overshadowed by political and economic motives. I’m compelled to say we’re heading back to Nazism,” Petro remarked during the session.
He further emphasized that the turmoil stretches beyond Gaza, implicating a broader continuum of conflict fueled by oil and nuclear weaponry. The current efforts to resolve these issues through increased military force only exacerbate the situation.
Petro proposed that solving the Middle East conflict hinges on the swift need for global decarbonization.
The Israeli government quickly condemned Petro’s comments. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled him a “disgraceful outgoing Colombian president” and accused him of tarnishing Colombia’s reputation. Saar condemned Petro for allegedly diminishing the memory of the Holocaust and described him as a communist who has harmed his nation.
In parallel, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized Petro, calling him a “delusional leader” spreading anti-Semitic rhetoric. Danon questioned the justification for Petro’s statements and referenced concerns over Petro’s substance abuse as a former minister’s claims.
Petro’s remarks came shortly after he faced backlash for posting “Long live Hitler”—a comment that drew substantial international ire, including from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The phrase was initially a reaction to an op-ed favorable to a political rival, Abelardo de la Espriela, who is running in Colombia’s upcoming presidential runoff.
During his UN speech, Petro addressed the fallout from his social media comment, acknowledging he failed to provide an adequate context for his words and described his actions as born from “own stupidity and lack of communication skills.”
Petro noted the now infamous line garnered significant attention online, making it one of his most viewed tweets.
In an interesting detail, Petro requested not to be photographed during his UN speech, expressing concern that his gestures could be misconstrued and associated with Nazi symbols.
The visit marked Petro’s first return to the UN in several months. Previously, he had engaged in heated rhetoric with former President Donald Trump, which led to complications regarding his U.S. visa status. After being temporarily barred, the visa was eventually restored, allowing him to travel for meetings in Washington.
Looking ahead, Petro is scheduled to attend the Dignity of Democracy summit focusing on social inequality and concentrated economic power while in New York.
His four-year presidential term is set to end on August 7, 2026, synchronized with the election of Colombia’s next leader. The upcoming presidential runoff on June 21 will pit conservative Abelardo de la Espriela against far-left Senator Iván Cepeda, a Petro ally. Due to constitutional restrictions, Petro cannot seek reelection.
