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Colombia Breaks Diplomatic Ties with Israel but Its Military Relies on Israeli Equipment
(AP-Washington Post) Astrid Suarez - Colombia announced it will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, effective Thursday, but its decision could affect Colombia's military, which uses Israeli planes and machine guns to fight drug cartels and rebel groups. Colombia's more than 20 Kfir fighter jets are all Israeli-built. The fleet, purchased in the late 1980s, is aging and requires maintenance, which can only be carried out by an Israeli firm. Colombia's military uses Galil rifles, which were designed in Israel. Israel also assists the country with its cybersecurity needs. Israel said in October that it would halt security exports to Colombia after President Gustavo Petro refused to condemn Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel and compared Israel's actions in Gaza to those of Nazi Germany.