President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has declared that he will inaugurate a roster of Colombian citizens willing to fight in Gaza on behalf of Palestine—and that, if his turn comes, he himself will join the ranks.

He made the announcement inside United Nations headquarters, symbolically wearing a keffiyeh to underscore his solidarity.

Petro stated that Colombia would open a registry for volunteers to participate in operations aimed at the “liberation of Palestine”.

He said that, having fought in other past conflicts, he does not rule out personal enlistment when his position in the queue arises.

The move has drawn immediate global attention, signaling an escalated personal involvement in the Israel-Gaza war.

The declaration amplifies Petro’s long-standing, outspoken support for the Palestinian cause.

He has repeatedly denounced Israeli operations in Gaza as genocidal, severed diplomatic relations with Israel, and repositioned Colombia’s foreign policy in alignment with pro-Palestinian actors.

At the same time, the announcement raises urgent questions about the legal, logistical, and diplomatic implications of such volunteer mobilization.

International law and state sovereignty normally restrict citizens from engaging directly in foreign hostilities.

Whether Colombia will facilitate the logistics, training or deployment—or how Israel and its allies might react—remains unresolved.

Petro’s posture may further strain Colombia’s diplomatic relationships, particularly with Western nations allied to Israel.

But domestically, it consolidates his image as a leader willing to translate rhetorical solidarity into tangible, if contentious, action.

The next steps—including the structure of the volunteer force, its funding, and operational command—are now under intense international scrutiny.