US warns its citizens in Bogota about possible violence in pro-Palestinian protests

The United States Embassy in Colombia asked its citizens in Bogota this Tuesday to avoid mass demonstrations and stay away from its headquarters, where a pro-Palestinian protest is scheduled for this afternoon, which, according to the diplomatic mission, may turn violent. "The United States Embassy in Bogota is closely monitoring reports of planned protests and transportation disruptions in Bogota for Tuesday, October 7, including the area near the Embassy," the diplomatic office stated on X. He added that the mobilizations scheduled for today in the Colombian capital, on the second anniversary of Hamas' attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, "could last until night and have the potential to turn violent". "U.S. citizens should avoid mass protests and the area around the Embassy," the mission stated, in a context of high diplomatic tension between Bogota and Washington following the revocation of the visa of the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro. During the morning of this Tuesday, marches in solidarity with Palestine are planned at several universities in the Colombian capital, and a caravan is expected around noon in the vicinity of El Dorado International Airport. The "national march", organized by the Frente de Acción por Palestina and other groups, will begin around 4:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. GMT) in front of the US Embassy, in the west of Bogotá, on one of the city's main avenues, and will then proceed towards Plaza de Bolívar, in the historic center.

Government promises protection to embassy

Upon learning of the call, President Petro, one of the most critical global leaders of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, assured yesterday that his Government will "protect" the US Embassy, but also clarified that it will "allow the free right to expression and assembly of the Colombian people". "I ask the protesters to maintain the rules of peace. My position is different from that of the U.S. Government and they attack us for it, but we stand firm on the principles of our Constitution. Peace in the Caribbean and peace in the world. Respect the territory under diplomatic immunity," the president wrote on X. The Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez Suárez, also made today "a call to the people participating in the marches in favor of the Palestinian cause, so that these take place under the principles of respect, coexistence and non-violence". Warnings come after the headquarters of the National Association of Colombian Entrepreneurs (ANDI) and businesses of American brands were attacked in pro-Palestinian demonstrations last week. According to the minister, when the right to protest "is infiltrated by criminal actions or by those who try to sow hatred and divide the country, it loses its essence and destroys the legitimate cause of those who do manifest peacefully and with respect". The protests this Tuesday have generated controversy among those who consider their date "symbolically painful" as it coincides with the second anniversary of the attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups that killed 1,250 people, mostly Israelis, and kidnapped 250. Since then, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in two years of military offensive in Gaza.