Colombian president: recognition of Palestine is irreversible

The new Colombian president, Ivan Duque on Monday said that the decision by his predecessor to recognize “Palestine” days before he left office is “irreversible.”

On 3 August, outgoing President, Juan Manuel Santos announced that he had decided to recognize Palestine as a free, independent and sovereign state. Colombia’s new government later said it would review the decision.

Speaking to a local radio station on Monday and quoted by JTA, Duque commented on Santos’ decision and said, “Damage was done by the fact that there was not more institutional discussion. [Former] president [Juan Manuel] Santos told me that he had made that decision, but it is irreversible.”

“We would have benefited from more analyses [about recognizing Palestine],” Duque continued.

“What we, the international community, should not do is be part of the problem, instead, we must be part of the solution. The solution is to form lasting peace, stability, and that the two-state solution will move forward,” he added.

Duque also told the radio station he believes a “two-state solution” to the Israel-PA conflict is the best one.