Threatened Coal Ban Jeopardizes Colombia-Israel Trade Ties

A potential ban on Colombia's coal exports to Israel could violate international agreements and undermine market confidence and foreign investment, warns the Colombian Mining Association. This follows diplomatic tensions between the countries, despite no official order existing yet. Israel imports significant amounts of coal from Colombia, generating substantial revenue.

A possible ban by Colombia's government on coal exports to Israel would violate international agreements and put market confidence and foreign investment at risk, the country's private mining association said late Thursday.

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the commerce ministry could bar coal shipments to Israel, after leftist President Gustavo Petro cut diplomatic ties with the Middle Eastern country in May in protest of its actions in Gaza. A source at the commerce ministry told Reuters there currently exists no order, resolution or decree which would prohibit or restrict coal exports to Israel.

Petro has strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Colombia has requested to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Colombia, the world's fifth largest coal producer, sent 56.7 million metric tons of coal abroad last year, including 3 million tons to Israel, about 5.4% of total exports, according to government data.

"This decision would not comply with international commitments by Colombia that should be respected and puts at risk the confidence of markets and foreign investment," the Colombian Mining Association (ACM) said in a statement. Israel is a key destination for Colombian coal and shipments there generate about $165 million a year in taxes, royalties and other contributions.

A free trade agreement between Israel and Colombia has been in force since 2020 and the ACM said that deal prevents imports and export restrictions between the two countries. Drummond and Glencore are major private coal miners in Colombia.