Latin America’s shift toward conservative governments is reshaping the region’s foreign policy, bringing several countries closer to US President Donald Trump’s administration while creating new diplomatic opportunities for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine.
The change marks a reversal of a trend seen under a previous generation of left-wing Latin American leaders, who sought to reduce the region’s traditional dependence on the United States by strengthening ties with China and, in some cases, Russia. New conservative governments are instead showing greater interest in joining a US-led sphere of influence under Trump’s so-called “Donroe Doctrine.”
China’s economic influence remains significant and is limiting how far some governments are willing to confront Beijing. But Israel and Ukraine have already gained diplomatic ground as several countries revise their foreign-policy positions.
Israel has recorded several recent advances. Honduras’ President Nasry Asfura, elected in December 2025, signed a military cooperation memorandum with Israel on August 17. The agreement followed a period of cooler relations under former left-wing President Xiomara Castro, who recalled Honduras’ ambassador to Israel in 2023 over the Gaza war.
Colombia’s new President Abelardo De la Espriella restored diplomatic relations with Israel after taking office on August 7, reversing the 2024 decision by his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, to sever ties over Israel’s conduct in Gaza. De la Espriella also moved Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem and joined the United States in recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Ecuador, meanwhile, designated Hamas and Hezbollah as “terror” organisations in September 2025. Argentina has also taken a strongly pro-Israel position under President Javier Milei, who pledged during his 2023 campaign to make the United States and Israel Argentina’s top allies.
Taiwan is also seeking to benefit from the shift. Paraguay, one of only 12 countries worldwide that still maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, signed agreements with Taiwan during President Santiago Peña’s visit in May 2026 covering justice, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, food, finance and trade.
Honduras, which switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2023 under Castro, has also reconsidered its relationship with Beijing since Asfura took office. His campaign included a pledge to reassess ties with China, and his government has reviewed agreements signed under the previous administration. Taiwan has said it remains open to restoring relations, although Honduras’ foreign ministry denied in June that talks with Taipei were taking place.
Ukraine has likewise gained support from the region’s changing political landscape. On June 19, Asfura met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and expressed support for Ukraine’s defence of its territory, values, freedom and democracy. The visit was the first by a Honduran head of state to independent Ukraine and represented a clear departure from the foreign-policy approach of his predecessor.
Latin America has limited political and economic influence in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. However, its collective diplomatic positions can still carry significance. The region’s conservative turn has therefore created openings for governments in Kyiv, Taipei and Jerusalem that had faced a less favourable political environment under previous left-wing administrations.
Brazil’s presidential election in October could strengthen the trend. The race is expected to be competitive between incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, who supports closer ties with Israel and Taiwan and has strongly criticised China. A Bolsonaro victory would be expected to produce a further pro-Israel shift in the region’s foreign policy.
