Israel has launched a more assertive diplomatic push across Latin America as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visits Ecuador and Colombia to rebuild ties and cultivate new partners amid growing tensions with parts of Western Europe.
Sa'ar attended the inauguration of Colombia's president, Abelardo de la Espriella, and met senior officials including Vice President José Manuel Restrepo and Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar, along with ministers of defense, finance, justice, trade and environment. Talks centered on translating the diplomatic reset into concrete cooperation on security, trade, counterterrorism and technological collaboration.
"Not only will we rebuild our ties, but we will take them to new heights," Sa'ar said ahead of the inauguration, describing the relationship as entering a new phase.
The shift follows a rupture under former president Gustavo Petro, who in 2024 severed diplomatic relations with Israel, accused it of "genocide" in Gaza, curtailed defense cooperation and banned Colombian coal exports to Israel. De la Espriella's administration has pledged to restore full diplomatic relations, resume coal exports, lift visa requirements and relocate Colombia's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Bogotá also plans to withdraw support from international measures targeting Israel, including its backing for South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice.
Colombia was the second stop on a South American tour Sa'ar has framed as part of 2026 being a strategic year for engagement with the region. In Ecuador, Sa'ar became the first Israeli foreign minister to make an official visit in 44 years; the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on counterterrorism cooperation and discussed expanded collaboration in trade, innovation and agriculture.
Regional Momentum and Like-Minded Partners
The outreach reflects a broader opening for Israel across the Western Hemisphere. Argentina, under President Javier Milei, has emerged as an enthusiastic partner — Milei made his third presidential visit to Israel in April and has described ties as a "moral, spiritual, and political" bond. Argentina and Israel also unveiled the "Isaac Accords," a proposed framework for cooperation among like-minded countries in the Americas on terrorism, antisemitism and organized crime. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele is another prominent regional ally.
Sa'ar has simultaneously expanded engagement in Central and Eastern Europe, visiting Serbia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria. Serbia and Israel launched their first strategic dialogue this year, with officials calling for deeper political, economic and strategic ties; Bulgaria's government has likewise called the relationship strategic.
Context: Rising Antisemitism and Diplomatic Realignment
These diplomatic gains take on added significance as Israel faces mounting pressure in parts of Western Europe and Jewish communities confront elevated levels of antisemitism. Reported incidents in 2025 included about 3,700 in Britain, 8,725 in Germany and 1,320 in France, underscoring heightened security and political concerns for Israeli and Jewish interests abroad.
"Through determined and systematic diplomatic efforts, we have succeeded in strengthening and renewing Israel's relations with many countries across Latin America," Sa'ar said as he began the trip. "We are continuing our effort to bring Latin America closer to Israel."
This intensified outreach signals an emerging Israeli strategy: broaden diplomatic partnerships in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe to offset strains with certain Western European governments and to secure cooperation on security, trade and shared political priorities.
Source: Newsmax, 2026
