Blab Politics
Latin Americas Political Realignment Drives New Israel-Latin America Accord
In April 2026, Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the Isaac Accords, a diplomatic initiative that expands economic, security, and cultural cooperation between Israel and Latin American states. The accord follows a broader trend of political change in the region, where former left‑wing governments that were often hostile to Israel have been replaced by right‑leaning leaders who are seeking closer ties with the Middle East.
The Isaac Accords were announced in June 2025 by Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, and officially launched on 19 April 2026 in Jerusalem during Milei’s visit. The initiative is modeled after the Abraham Accords of 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. According to the accord’s description on the Isaac Accords website, the program aims to bring together countries rooted in the Judeo‑Christian tradition to strengthen ties in defense of freedom and democracy, fight terrorism and antisemitism, and cooperate in innovation, technology, trade, and economic openness.
Argentina’s participation has already produced concrete actions. Milei has broadened economic ties with Israel, strengthened security and counter‑terrorism coordination, and designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Other Latin American countries have followed suit. Paraguay, Ecuador, and Costa Rica have also designated the IRGC, Hezbollah, and Hamas as terrorist organizations. Ecuador opened an innovation research and development center in Jerusalem in May 2025, giving it diplomatic status, while Costa Rica is planning a similar office and has signed a free‑trade agreement with Israel.
The shift in Latin America is not limited to diplomatic gestures. In Chile, newly elected President José Antonio Kast met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and appointed a new ambassador after the previous envoy was recalled following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Bolivia, which had aligned closely with Iran and been a vocal critic of Israel, restored diplomatic relations in December 2025 after the inauguration of President Rodrigo Paz. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro, who had severed ties with Israel over the Gaza war and made anti‑Israel statements, is constitutionally barred from a second term and has endorsed Senator Iván Cepeda as his successor.
The realignment has implications beyond the region. The United States sees the Isaac Accords as a way to reinforce alliances while curbing the influence of adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and China. Iran’s influence is felt in parts of Latin America, especially in Venezuela and the tri‑border area where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay converge. The IRGC’s proxy Hezbollah has long been linked to drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and money laundering across the continent, including the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires.
Spanish‑language media also play a role in shaping public opinion. Iran’s 24/7 Spanish‑language network, HispanTV, and other state‑linked outlets such as RT en Español and Al Jazeera’s Spanish‑language service have expanded their reach across Latin America and the United States. Reports indicate a rise in antisemitic and anti‑Zionist content on Spanish‑language social platforms, which the Isaac Accords aim to counter through increased cooperation and public diplomacy.
While the Isaac Accords are still in their early stages, they represent more than a diplomatic initiative. According to the initiative’s description, the greatest promise lies in the relationships it can inspire among the people of Latin America, Israel, and the United States. The accord’s focus on technology, security, and economic development could create new opportunities for trade and innovation that benefit millions across both regions.
The current situation is that the Isaac Accords have been signed by Argentina and Israel, with several other Latin American countries already taking steps to align with the initiative. The next steps involve formalizing agreements on trade, security, and technology, and expanding the list of participating nations. The United States is monitoring the developments closely, as the accords could reshape the strategic balance in the Western Hemisphere.
In summary, Latin America’s political realignment toward Israel, exemplified by the Isaac Accords, signals a shift from past hostility to new cooperation. The initiative is already influencing diplomatic, security, and economic policies across the region, and its long‑term impact will depend on the continued engagement of Latin American leaders and the broader international community.
The Isaac Accords were announced in June 2025 by Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, and officially launched on 19 April 2026 in Jerusalem during Milei’s visit. The initiative is modeled after the Abraham Accords of 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. According to the accord’s description on the Isaac Accords website, the program aims to bring together countries rooted in the Judeo‑Christian tradition to strengthen ties in defense of freedom and democracy, fight terrorism and antisemitism, and cooperate in innovation, technology, trade, and economic openness.
Argentina’s participation has already produced concrete actions. Milei has broadened economic ties with Israel, strengthened security and counter‑terrorism coordination, and designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Other Latin American countries have followed suit. Paraguay, Ecuador, and Costa Rica have also designated the IRGC, Hezbollah, and Hamas as terrorist organizations. Ecuador opened an innovation research and development center in Jerusalem in May 2025, giving it diplomatic status, while Costa Rica is planning a similar office and has signed a free‑trade agreement with Israel.
The shift in Latin America is not limited to diplomatic gestures. In Chile, newly elected President José Antonio Kast met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and appointed a new ambassador after the previous envoy was recalled following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Bolivia, which had aligned closely with Iran and been a vocal critic of Israel, restored diplomatic relations in December 2025 after the inauguration of President Rodrigo Paz. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro, who had severed ties with Israel over the Gaza war and made anti‑Israel statements, is constitutionally barred from a second term and has endorsed Senator Iván Cepeda as his successor.
The realignment has implications beyond the region. The United States sees the Isaac Accords as a way to reinforce alliances while curbing the influence of adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and China. Iran’s influence is felt in parts of Latin America, especially in Venezuela and the tri‑border area where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay converge. The IRGC’s proxy Hezbollah has long been linked to drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and money laundering across the continent, including the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires.
Spanish‑language media also play a role in shaping public opinion. Iran’s 24/7 Spanish‑language network, HispanTV, and other state‑linked outlets such as RT en Español and Al Jazeera’s Spanish‑language service have expanded their reach across Latin America and the United States. Reports indicate a rise in antisemitic and anti‑Zionist content on Spanish‑language social platforms, which the Isaac Accords aim to counter through increased cooperation and public diplomacy.
While the Isaac Accords are still in their early stages, they represent more than a diplomatic initiative. According to the initiative’s description, the greatest promise lies in the relationships it can inspire among the people of Latin America, Israel, and the United States. The accord’s focus on technology, security, and economic development could create new opportunities for trade and innovation that benefit millions across both regions.
The current situation is that the Isaac Accords have been signed by Argentina and Israel, with several other Latin American countries already taking steps to align with the initiative. The next steps involve formalizing agreements on trade, security, and technology, and expanding the list of participating nations. The United States is monitoring the developments closely, as the accords could reshape the strategic balance in the Western Hemisphere.
In summary, Latin America’s political realignment toward Israel, exemplified by the Isaac Accords, signals a shift from past hostility to new cooperation. The initiative is already influencing diplomatic, security, and economic policies across the region, and its long‑term impact will depend on the continued engagement of Latin American leaders and the broader international community.
