Colombia decided to expel Argentinian diplomats from its embassy on Wednesday in response to comments made by Argentine President Javier Milei about President Gustavo Petro, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

The comments at the center of Colombia’s decision stem from an interview Milei gave to CNN. During the interview, Milei stated,”The case of Colombia with Mr. Petro, well, one can’t expect much from someone who was a terrorist murderer, right? A communist.” Milei made similar comments in an interview with a Colombian writer Patricia Janiot. In that interview, Milei stated, “Petro is a communist murderer who is sinking Colombia.”

After the interview on CNN, and before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia made an announcement, the Ambassador of Colombia in Argentina said on X (formerly Twitter):

It was clear that every time Javier Milei is asked about Gustavo Petro he will respond with insults. Twice before the Colombian president has preferred to downplay those offenses. Milei’s words speak more of him than Petro. Today, the Colombian government is exploring all measures. The decision will be announced soon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia then made an announcement indicating that they repudiate the statements made by the Argentinian president. They consider them to be denigrating of Petro. The minstry also said that this isn’t the first time Milei has offended the Colombian president, which has affected the historic fraternal relations between Colombia and Argentina. In this context, the Colombian government ordered the expulsion of Argentine diplomats from its embassy.