The presidents of Colombia and Bolivia expressed their “full solidarity” with their Brazilian counterpart, Lula, after his statements comparing the war in Gaza to the Holocaust.

Relations between Israel and Brazil have continued to worsen since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, drew parallels between the Holocaust and the conflict in Gaza in a public statement on Sunday, February 18. In response, Israel declared the Brazilian president “persona non grata” until he apologizes.

This diplomatic crisis could extend to South America. The presidents of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, and Bolivia, Luis Arce, supported their Brazilian counterpart on X on Tuesday, February 20.