Colombia’s Petro Compares Current Global Climate to Nazi Era at U.N.

Petro, a Marxist leader in the final weeks of his four-year term, traveled to New York to chair a Security Council debate on Middle Eastern political solutions. Colombia currently holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council for June 2026.

During his opening remarks, Petro acknowledged this would likely be his final appearance at the international body before leaving office in August. He warned the Council of two existential threats: artificial intelligence controlled by wealthy private interests and what he described as hydrocarbon consumption driven by greed leading to humanitarian crises.

The Colombian president then turned his attention to Gaza, claiming 20,000 deaths in the conflict cannot be concealed by economic or political powers. We are returning to the Nazis, Petro declared, drawing a direct parallel between current Middle Eastern conflicts and Nazi atrocities.

He further argued that the struggle over hydrocarbons, combined with nuclear weapons proliferation, has created a situation where people are attempting to solve problems with more missiles and warfare. Petro’s proposed solution centered on what he termed rapid global decarbonization.

Israeli officials swiftly condemned the remarks. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described Petro as a disgrace to Colombia and a stain on his nation, accusing the outgoing president of systematically trivializing Holocaust memory. Sa’ar characterized Petro as a communist who has ruined his country and will soon be relegated to history.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon labeled Petro a delusional leader spreading antisemitic statements. Danon questioned what Petro had consumed before the morning session, referencing previous accusations of substance abuse the Colombian president has faced from former cabinet members.

The controversy follows an incident just days earlier when Petro posted “heil Hitler” on social media in response to a favorable opinion piece about conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, currently the frontrunner in Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff. The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned that post as demonstrating a total loss of moral compass and an indelible stain on Colombia’s legacy.

During his Security Council address, Petro attempted to explain the Nazi salute incident, attributing it to his own stupidity and poor communication skills. He claimed he failed to properly contextualize his statement made in response to a Colombian journalist who allegedly shifted from liberal to fascist views.

Petro acknowledged posting “Heil Hitler” without context, noting the controversial message received 34 million views and became his most-viewed post since a previous exchange with President Donald Trump.

The Argentine outlet Infobae reported that Petro requested U.N. officials not photograph him during his Security Council speech, expressing concern that his gestures could be taken out of context and used to associate him with Nazi symbolism. He reportedly warned attendees not to take pictures because his opponents would use even his gestures to portray him as a Nazi.

This U.N. appearance marks Petro’s second major visit to New York in recent months, following his attendance at the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 2025, when he engaged in hostile actions against President Trump.

With information from Breitbart News