Petro urges Europe and Latin America to follow Italy's steps in pressuring Israel

Mexico City (ANTARA) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called on European and Latin American countries to follow Italy’s lead in suspending their defence agreement with Israel amid the Middle East conflict.

Previously, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel.

“Prime Minister of Italy has decided to suspend the agreement with Israel. I support this decision and propose that all European and Latin American countries follow that step to prevent aggression in the Middle East,” Petro stated on platform X on Tuesday (14/4).

Petro emphasised that inter-civilisational dialogue leads to peace, while rocket attacks lead to the destruction of humanity.

On 11 April, Iran and the United States began negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement.

A day later, US Vice President JD Vance stated that both parties failed to reach an agreement and the US delegation returned without results.

On the same day, Trump also announced that the US would begin implementing a blockade on all ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.

He also ordered the US Navy to track and intercept ships that pay tolls to Iran to pass through that shipping route.