Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro alleged on Monday that Israel changed the IP addresses of election servers, claiming no other country is capable of such interference. He called for a recount and audit without providing public evidence. Israeli FM Sa'ar congratulated President-elect de la Espriella on his victory.
Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro escalated his allegations against Israel on Monday night, claiming in an X post that Israel changed the IP addresses of national election servers and asserting that 'the only entity in the world capable of doing that is the State of Israel.' He called for a full recount and an external audit of the election software, but provided no public evidence. This marks the latest in a series of unsubstantiated accusations Petro has made since the close of polls on Sunday, each iteration growing more specific without supplying verifiable proof.
The thread began at 03:48 Jerusalem Monday, when Petro first refused to concede the election and suggested Israeli interference, without evidence, according to Colombian media. Over the following hours, from the same 03:48 anchor, our reports showed Petro repeatedly escalating: he alleged a 49%-49% tie and cited IP-address changes, then claimed only Israel could have hacked the election servers, later asserting the interference was intended to boost the right-wing candidate, and finally alleged Israeli vote-rigging as he refused to concede. However, later the same day, Colombian electoral authorities declared right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella the winner with 49.66% after 99.99% of ballots were counted — a result corroborated by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who congratulated de la Espriella. No independent election observer or Colombian opposition figure has reported irregularities.
As The Zioneer reported at 10:23 Jerusalem, the Israeli Foreign Ministry hailed de la Espriella's victory as a 'strategic shift' that will restore ties severed by Petro in 2024. De la Espriella has pledged to move Colombia's embassy to Jerusalem. The allegations arise as Petro prepares to leave office after a term marked by anti-Israel rhetoric and diplomatic rupture.
Petro has yet to present any public evidence for his claims. Colombian electoral authorities have not ordered a recount or audit. No international government or election-monitoring body has backed the allegations.
7 developments
- StrongIsrael's Foreign Ministry hails Colombia's de la Espriella win as 'strategic shift'
- DevelopingFM Sa'ar congratulates Colombia's de la Espriella on presidential win
- StrongColombian president compares Israel to Nazis, Israeli envoy Danon hits back
- DevelopingColombia's congressional disciplinary committee suspends President Petro pending election-interference probe
Source and signal
- Internal intake