For the first time in its history, Colombia has secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, the international body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.

Following the announcement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his country's commitment to addressing critical human rights issues.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Petro declared that Colombia’s stance on the systematic violation of human rights in Palestine will be "clear and resolute."

Colombia entra al consejo de Derechos Humanos por primera vez en su historia. La posición Colombiana ante la violacion sistemática de los derechos humanos en Palestina será precisa y contundente.

Velaremos por la libertad del presidente Castillo en el Perú y buscaremos un… https://t.co/86rBaRATlR

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 4, 2025

He also pledged to advocate for the release of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who was ousted and imprisoned following a US-backed coup in 2022.

In addition, the Colombian President emphasized plans to seek a political agreement in Venezuela to ensure the rights and freedoms of its citizens.

Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, Petro has been a fierce critic of the Netanyahu government, announcing in May that Colombia would sever ties with "Israel" and open an embassy in Ramallah in the Palestinian territories. In June, he confirmed that coal exports to the occupation entity would be suspended "until the genocide stops."
 
This comes as "Israel" continues its war on Gaza, murdering more than 45,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. 

Read next: Opposing 'Israel's' genocide on Gaza is not anti-Semitism: Colombia