Jerusalem is closely following the election results in Colombia, against the background of the possibility that in a country with more than 50 million inhabitants, a president with a hostile orientation to Israel will be elected.
In the first round that took place yesterday (Sunday), left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro won more than 40% of the vote.
Opposite him will face in the second round, to be held on June 19, the independent candidate identified with the right Rudolfo Hernandez, who surprised and won 28% of the vote.
Petro is identified with the Bolivarian movement in South America, which traditionally has an anti-Western and pro-Palestinian line, and has recently managed to bring about political upheavals in Chile and Honduras.
Petro's victory in the second round in Colombia will testify to the establishment of a political trend on a continent that does not bode well for Israel.
Citizens watch first-round results of Colombian presidential election, Photo: AFP
Hernandez, on the other hand, is a mystery to political figures in Jerusalem: in the past he did not say much about Israel, but managed to cause a stir when he said he "admires Hitler" - a statement that naturally raises doubts about him, although he was quick to apologize and try to clarify.
In Jerusalem it was initially estimated that Petro would win a clear victory, but now, after Hernandez's surprising achievement and after outgoing President Ivan Duka, who is considered friendly to Israel, called for him to vote in the second round, it is estimated that the race will be closer.
The Bolivarian movement in South America is now led by Venezuela, where President Nicholas Maduro, the successor to Hugo Chavez, is a clear anti-American and anti-Israel line leader.
Under Maduro's leadership Venezuela is cooperating with Iran, and Israel is suspected of even aiding its nuclear program by smuggling uranium, which is in its territory.
In addition, Venezuela violates international sanctions against the Ayatollahs regime and trades in oil with Tehran.
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