World

Latin American Leaders Shift Policies Toward Israel Amid Political Realignments

By Umar Farooq

A wave of new Latin American leaders is reversing measures that isolated Israel after its war in Gaza. On October 8, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that Colombia would move its embassy to Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of the move for Israel’s diplomatic narrative. Saar said, “We will work hard because this is the diplomatic battle over the truth,” adding that “the truth is, Jerusalem was always the capital of one nation.” He also suggested that Brazil might soon join Colombia and other Latin American countries that have relocated their embassies to Jerusalem, a city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians as their capital.

The region’s relationship with Israel is changing as right‑wing parties gain power and pro‑Israel politicians use the issue to rally voters. Brazil’s presidential race has made Israel a key talking point. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a left‑wing supporter of Palestine, is competing with right‑wing rival Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who has displayed Israeli flags at rallies and highlighted his friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bolsonaro’s strong showing in the first round has raised hopes for a détente with Israeli officials.

In Colombia, the newly inaugurated President Abelardo de la Espriella has begun restoring ties cut by former President Gustavo Petro, who severed relations after the Gaza war. De la Espriella announced plans to move the Colombian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, re‑appoint ambassadors, and recognize Israeli control over the Golan Heights. Colombia and Israel also began allowing visa‑free travel for citizens last month.

Experts attribute the realignment to new leaders seeking validation from Washington, evangelical Christian lobbying, and an Israeli diplomatic offensive that finds fertile ground in Latin America. Marta Tawil Kuri, a research professor at the Center for International Studies at the College of Mexico, said the convergence of “right‑wing leaderships seeking validation from Washington, evangelical bases giving them electoral and ideological grounding, and an Israeli diplomatic offensive” is driving the shift.

Other Latin American countries have followed similar patterns. Argentina elected right‑wing populist Javier Milei, who pledged to move the embassy to Jerusalem and refused to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN. Bolivia’s left‑wing administration under Evo Morales and later Luis Arce recalled ambassadors after October 7, but President Rodrigo Paz reversed that policy. Chile’s President José Antonio Kast appointed a new ambassador who describes himself as a “proud Zionist.” Honduras replaced a left‑wing government with right‑wing President Nasry Asfura, who reappointed an ambassador to Israel. Venezuela announced it would restore consular relations with Israel, undoing a two‑decade antagonistic stance.

Several Latin American governments have also supported legal actions against Israel over the Gaza war. Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Belize, Cuba, and Nicaragua have at times backed South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The shift is also linked to the Trump era. Flavio Bolsonaro’s campaign, which began in July, featured Argentine President Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s video message. Bolsonaro’s campaign is seen as part of a larger political camp led by Trump, with endorsements from Trump for leaders such as Colombia’s de la Espriella and Honduras’s Asfura. These leaders have joined right‑wing umbrella groups led by the US, such as the Shield of the Americas, a counter‑narcotics security alliance.

Evangelical lobbying has played a significant role. In Brazil, the Evangelical Parliamentary Front, a caucus of pro‑Israel evangelical legislators, holds more than 40% of the Chamber of Deputies and over a quarter of the Senate. Evangelicalism, particularly Christian Zionism, is also influential in Honduras and Guatemala, where about 40% of the population is evangelical and both governments have moved embassies to Jerusalem.

The Latino Coalition for Israel, led by evangelical pastor Mario Bramnick, has sent delegations to Latin American leaders. In 2025, the Genesis Prize awarded Argentinian President Milei $1 million for his “unequivocal support of Israel.” Milei used the funds to establish the Isaac Accords, a program modeled after the Abraham Accords that provides grant money for pro‑Israel civil society groups in Latin America and tracks right‑wing governments’ signaling moves, such as moving embassies to Jerusalem and voting on Israel‑related UN resolutions.

Following Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trip to the UN General Assembly in late September, he and leaders from Bolivia, Panama, and Paraguay held a summit. Netanyahu urged them to join the Isaac Accords, writing on X that he sought to “expand the circle of friendship and partnership with Israel.”