Latin America Seethes As Israeli Forces Seize Gaza Aid Flotilla
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Mass protests erupted across Latin America after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, halting its mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and detaining activists from around the world.
Thousands of people poured into the streets from Mexico City to Buenos Aires on Wednesday in anger over Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla, an operation widely condemned as another act of aggression against Palestinians.
In Bogotá, demonstrators gathered outside the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI), after the Global Movement to Gaza accused the group of having “direct ties to Israel’s economic mission in Colombia.” The association denied the claim, but protesters said the choice of location highlighted corporate complicity with Israel’s war machine.
In Buenos Aires, hundreds denounced “an assault by the Israeli occupation forces” and demanded an end to genocide in Gaza. “We are here today to demand the freedom of our comrades and the flotilla, and to ensure that humanitarian aid and food reach Gaza,” said one protester.
Similar protests erupted in Montevideo, where crowds chanted for Palestinian liberation and carried placards calling for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to face prison.
The flotilla, made up of more than 40 vessels and over 500 volunteers from about 47 countries, was intercepted roughly 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) from Gaza. Organizers said nine vessels were seized and one rammed, all while still in international waters.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the detention of “several boats” and referred to the mission as the “Hamas Flotilla” on its official X account, a description protesters rejected as propaganda to criminalize humanitarian aid.
In Mexico City, demonstrators rallied outside the foreign ministry to demand the release of all detainees, including seven Mexican nationals seized by Israeli forces.
Arlin Medrano and Sol Gonzalez, two Mexican crew members of the Adara, recorded a message before being taken away. “If you're watching this video, it’s because we were illegally intercepted in international waters by the Israeli occupation,” Medrano said.
David Pena, legal representative of the Mexican delegation, told protesters that Israel intends to charge the detainees with illegally entering Israeli territory despite the interception occurring outside Israeli waters. He confirmed that Medrano, Gonzalez, and another crew member were among those detained, and that Israel plans to deport them.
