Trump’s Unlikely Legacy: A New Axis in Latin America

The tumultuous landscape of global politics has long been marked by shifting allegiances and surprise alliances. Recent developments, however, suggest a new axis is emerging, pitting authoritarian governments across Latin America against the international community on Israel. This shift raises questions about the enduring legacy of Donald Trump’s foreign policy.

In 2009, Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel under Hugo Chavez, marking a turning point in the region’s stance towards the Jewish state. Seventeen years later, Venezuela has agreed to resume consular services, a move unthinkable just months ago. Colombia, too, has made a striking about-face, with President Abelardo de la Espriella announcing plans to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

This rapprochement with Israel is a defining feature of the region’s radical right, with ultraconservative leaders like Javier Milei in Argentina championing close ties with the Jewish state. According to Isaac Caro, a professor at Alberto Hurtado University in Chile, this trend can be attributed to a strategic alignment between Latin America’s authoritarian governments and US foreign policy.

“This is a response to the surge of the radical right in the region,” Caro notes. This has led to a surge in diplomacy between Israel and Latin American governments, with figures like Jair Bolsonaro and Nayib Bukele serving as early adopters of warmer ties with Israel.

Ideology and Interests: The Roots of Rapprochement

Several factors drive this new axis. According to Daniel Wajner, associate professor of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, ideology, religion, and strategy all play a role. For many Latin American governments, embracing Netanyahu’s national-conservative government signals a like-minded international orientation with the United States. This is significant – as Gilberto Aranda notes, the trend in Latin America has been towards aligning with the US under Donald Trump, and by extension engaging in rapprochement with Israel.

Brazil: A Counterweight to the Shift

While some countries have warmed up to Israel, others remain skeptical. In Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has taken a critical stance toward Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. As Aranda puts it, “The country with the most influence in the region, which maintains a critical stance toward Israel, is clearly Brazil.” Brazil’s demographic, economic, and political clout make it a major counterweight to the shift towards warmer relations with Israel.

Mexico: A Balancing Act

Mexico, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, maintains diplomatic relations with the state of Israel while criticizing its actions in Gaza. This nuanced approach reflects a desire to preserve greater neutrality and diplomatic balance – a far cry from the knee-jerk anti-Israel sentiment that has come to define some quarters of Latin American politics.

What This Means for the World

The significance of this shift cannot be overstated. Israel is not merely seeking to win over friendly governments; it’s about securing international partnerships, countering isolation, and gaining a foothold in multilateral organizations like the United Nations. Wajner notes that the current warming of ties with Israel offers both sides “legitimacy, cooperation, and influence.” However, this new axis also raises questions about the implications for human rights, regional security, and the global balance of power.

As we watch this new axis take shape, one cannot help but wonder what the future holds. Will other countries follow in the footsteps of Venezuela and Colombia? And what will be the consequences for those that remain critical of Israel’s actions? The answer lies in the complex interplay between ideology, interests, and geopolitics – a delicate dance that promises to continue unfolding on the world stage.

Donald Trump’s foreign policy has left an indelible mark on global politics. But whether this legacy will be defined by cooperation or conflict remains to be seen.