Petro said two Colombian women, "who were engaged in human solidarity activities with Palestine," were detained by Israeli forces in international waters.

In a statement, his office said Manuela Bedoya and Luna Barreto were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla and called for their immediate release.

The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that "several vessels" in the flotilla had been "safely stopped" and that the passengers were being brought to an Israeli port.

The leftist Petro severed relations with Israel last year but four diplomats remained posted in the country, a source at the Israeli consulate in Bogota told AFP.

Writing on X, Petro announced the expulsion of "the entire diplomatic delegation of Israel" over what he called "a new international crime" by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He also terminated a free-trade deal in force with Israel since 2020.

Colombia's leader is one of Netanyahu's most vocal critics, calling him "genocidal," while also slamming US President Donald Trump as an "accomplice" to "genocide."

Last week, Petro attended a pro-Palestinian protest in New York, where he called on the US military to "disobey" Trump.

Washington revoked Petro's visa over his remarks.

Meanwhile, Spain summoned Israel's top representative in Madrid on Thursday after Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound flotilla, the foreign minister said.

"Today I summoned the charge d'affaires here in Madrid," Jose Manuel Albares told public broadcaster TVE, saying 65 Spaniards were travelling with the flotilla.

Israel withdrew its ambassador to Madrid last year after Spain recognised a Palestinian state.

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