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Colombia has expelled the diplomat of Argentina following
remarks by Argentinian President Javier Milei, who called Colombian President
Gustavo Petro a "terrorist," "murderer," and
"communist." The move has led to diplomatic tensions between the two
nations.
According to the Colombian foreign ministry, Milei's comments
were "denigrating" and had damaged trust between the two states. They
also mentioned that the comments offended the dignity of President Petro, who
was democratically elected.
Milei made these comments in an interview with CNN, which has
not yet been fully aired. In addition to targeting Petro, Milei also criticized
other regional leaders, including Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
The Number of Diplomats Expelled
The exact number of diplomats to be expelled from the
Argentinian embassy in Bogota was not specified by Colombia's foreign ministry.
However, they stated that the expulsion would be communicated to Argentina
through diplomatic channels.
This is not the first instance of diplomatic tension between
the two countries due to Milei's comments. In January, Colombia recalled its
ambassador to Argentina after similar remarks from Milei, who referred to Petro
as a "murderous communist."
Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, has a
history as a former member of the demobilized M-19 rebel movement. Milei's
comments in the CNN interview referenced Petro's past involvement with the
armed group.
Historically, relations between Colombia and Argentina have
been stable, but they have been deteriorating since Milei's surprise election
last November. Milei's platform included radical promises such as abolishing
the central bank and making significant cuts to public spending.
Milei's political style has drawn comparisons to former US
President Donald Trump, known for his abrasive rhetoric. As a candidate, Milei
took conservative stances on social issues, opposing abortion and sex
education, and criticizing political correctness.
Petro compared Milei's remarks to those of Adolf Hitler and
described Milei's election victory as a "regrettable moment for Latin
America." Milei's rise to power coincided with Argentina's economic
crisis, characterized by high inflation and widespread poverty.
(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)
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