The Latin American Pendulum: Israel's New Opportunity - and the Trap
After years of disconnection, boycotts, and hostility, the political map is turning: Colombia has recognized Israeli sovereignty on the Golan, Venezuela has opened its first channel in 17 years, and other governments are deepening ties with Jerusalem. What is driving the shift - and how is Israel trying to prevent the next blow when the pendulum swings again?
A few weeks after two earthquakes left widespread destruction in Venezuela, an Israeli aid delegation landed in the country - a sight that was almost unthinkable until recently. For 17 years, there were no diplomatic relations between the countries. The Venezuela of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro was one of Iran's closest allies in the Western Hemisphere, enthusiastically adopted the Palestinian line, and severed its ties with Israel in 2009. Now, the interim government in Caracas has not only accepted the Israelis but has asked to expand their activities and assist in formulating a national recovery plan.
On Tuesday, this symbolic move reached its first political result: Israel and Venezuela announced that they would establish a coordination mechanism that would allow for the provision of consular services to their citizens, alongside the continuation of the technical cooperation that began following the earthquakes. This is not yet a renewal of full diplomatic relations; no exchange of ambassadors has been announced, and embassies have not been reopened. And yet, this is the first official channel created between the countries since 2009 - a first, tangible crack in the wall that Chavez built and Maduro maintained.
Venezuela is not alone. Within less than a year, Israel's relations with Bolivia have been renewed, relations with Chile have been restored, Colombia has walked back almost every move it took against Israel during the Gustavo Petro era and even recognized Israeli sovereignty on the Golan Heights. The Argentina of Javier Milei and the Paraguay of Santiago Pena are deepening the alliance with Jerusalem, and Ecuador is asking Israel for help in its war against criminal organizations.
Even in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they identify a significant change, but emphasize that the current rapprochement was not born on the day the governments changed. Amir Ofek, Deputy Director General of the Latin America and Caribbean Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says that Israeli embassies have continued over the years to cultivate ties with elected officials, civil society organizations, and centers of influence - even in countries where the government took a hostile line toward Israel.
"In general, there were indeed a series of changes in the region. Governments changed and new governments came up whose interest in a connection with Israel is clear and distinct," Ofek said. "But things do not start the moment a friendlier government comes up. Even in a period when there is a hostile government, the connection with civil society and with elected officials is maintained. The embassies are in contact, delegations arrive."
