Latin America's risky gamble on Israel

Latin America is witnessing a significant diplomatic realignment as several nations pivot towards strengthening ties with Israel, a stark contrast to previous policies. This trend is exemplified by Venezuela, where in August 2026, Delcy Rodríguez, successor to Nicolás Maduro, re-established consular relations with Israel. This move occurred just three years after Maduro ratified an alliance with Iran, Israel's primary adversary, and marked a reversal of the 2009 break in relations under Chavismo.

Colombia also illustrates this diplomatic volatility. President Gustavo Petro suspended ties with Tel Aviv in 2024 over the conflict in Gaza. However, his successor, Abelardo de la Espriella, not only reactivated relations but also recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. This recognition of Syrian territory occupied by Israel is a stance previously adopted only by the United States, thus breaking international law.

This new era of engagement with Israel is partly driven by the Netanyahu government's need for international allies following its offensive in Gaza, which has diminished its global support. Conservative and right-wing leaders across Latin America have readily embraced closer ties. Argentine President Javier Milei has declared himself "the most Zionist president in the world," while Chile's José Antonio Kast reinstated military attachés to Israel, a move suspended by his predecessor Gabriel Boric.

Furthermore, Israel's position as a global leader in military technology and intelligence makes the region an attractive market. Israel's defense industry recorded a historic export record of $19.2 billion in 2025. While Latin America currently represents only 2% of these exports, governments in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Peru have signed security cooperation agreements with Israel, indicating a growing interest in leveraging Israeli expertise.

This strategic outreach extends to Ecuador, where President Daniel Noboa received the Israeli foreign minister in August, an event not seen in over four decades. In Honduras, newly elected President Nasri Asfura signed a defense cooperation agreement with Israel on August 17, following the previous administration's strong defense of Palestine and support for genocide claims against Israel. Ranaan Rein, former vice president of Tel Aviv University, notes that the rise of center-right and right-wing governments since 2023 has facilitated this rapprochement.