Various Colombian political sectors are questioning the presence and conduct of the 82-member Israeli military delegation after last Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake and are demanding its immediate withdrawal, citing objections to the Israeli government and reported actions in affected areas.

Legislator Santiago Osorio demanded that President Abelardo de la Espriella withdraw the troops and said he rejects any type of link with the Zionist state. Writing on social media, Osorio noted that while the soldiers were on Colombian territory, Israeli National Security Minister Ben Gvir had openly called for killing 30 to 40 people every night in Gaza.

“With a government that normalizes extermination and carries it out, Colombia cannot have any type of relationship, not even a humanitarian one,” he wrote.

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Former Bogotá city councilor Carlos Carrillo, for his part, denounced Roni Kaplan, spokesperson for the Israeli army and member of the brigade. He underscored that Kaplan has repeatedly appeared in Latin American media defending the genocide in Gaza, Islamophobia, and the false narrative of a direct link between leftist movements and terrorism.

Carrillo argued that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli far right represent the so-called Reactionary International. “They are not coming today to Colombia to help; they are coming to play politics with the pain of the tragedy,” he stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
I enjoyed the call with Colombia’s newly elected leader, @ABDELAESPRIELLA, just before Shabbat yesterday.

I congratulated him on his impressive victory, and I thanked him for recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moving… https://t.co/PGi0g8txqL

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2026

Representative María Fernanda Carrascal said she has received complaints from Pereira and Cali about the Israeli actions in affected areas, with reports that volunteers and communities have been completely sidelined, heavy machinery is being used indiscriminately, and police are being given orders.

“We already know for whom business comes after every catastrophe, natural or induced,” she warned on social media.

The debate intensified after President De la Espriella said last Saturday that he had spoken with Netanyahu. “I deeply thanked him for all the humanitarian aid and for the rescuers that Israel has sent to Colombia in these very difficult times,” De la Espriella said.

Tuve una conversación muy cálida y enriquecedora con el primer ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Le agradecí profundamente por toda la ayuda humanitaria y por los rescatistas que Israel ha enviado a Colombia en estos momentos tan difíciles.

Este es un nuevo tiempo para…

— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) August 15, 2026

His statement came amid strong public questioning about the brigade’s real contribution, since its arrival occurred more than 96 hours after the earthquake. Former presidential candidate and Senate opposition leader Iván Cepeda repudiated the comment.

“It is shameful that the relationship with a genocidal leader generates pride and gratitude. That does not represent us either as a nation or as a people. Let Mr. De la Espriella speak on his own behalf,” Cepeda said on X.

The government’s decision to restrict entry of humanitarian aid and accept only rescue teams from the United States, Israel, El Salvador and Ecuador was confirmed last Wednesday by David Tamayo, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.

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