Herzog visit to Panama and Costa Rica aims to shore up Israel’s ties in Latin America
Isaac Herzog’s four-day visit to Panama and Costa Rica begins May 6 to deepen bilateral ties, attend Costa Rica’s inauguration and reinforce diplomatic support at the UN.
President Isaac Herzog will depart Israel on May 6 for a four-day official visit to Panama and Costa Rica, a trip designed to strengthen diplomatic relations across Central America and to underscore continued support for Israel amid rising international criticism. The Herzog visit to Panama and Costa Rica will include high-level meetings in Panama City and attendance at Costa Rica’s presidential inauguration, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. The tour comes as Israel contends with heightened scrutiny over its military campaign in Gaza and legal pressure from international bodies.
Itinerary and official engagements
Herzog is scheduled to meet Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino and senior Panamanian officials during the first leg of the trip. The visit to Panama marks a rare presidential-level engagement and follows bilateral discussions the two leaders held at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year.
From Panama, Herzog will travel to Costa Rica to attend the inauguration of President-elect Laura Fernandez Delgado, after receiving an invitation from outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves Robles. The president is also due to participate in a heads-of-state dinner and to meet with Jewish community leaders in both countries.
Panama visit described as a historic step
The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the Panama stop as the first presidential visit to the country, framing it as a milestone in bilateral relations. Officials say the trip intends to convert recently renewed diplomatic momentum into concrete cooperation on trade, security and cultural exchange.
Panama’s role as a current non-permanent member of the UN Security Council adds weight to the visit, with Israeli diplomats seeking to maintain and deepen ties during Panama’s mandate on the global stage.
UN dynamics and voting considerations
Israel has faced a wave of adverse votes and statements in international bodies related to its operations in Gaza, and the trip is widely viewed as part of a push to secure dependable partners in multilateral fora. Panama and Costa Rica have at times aligned with Israel or abstained on contentious UN resolutions, a record Israeli officials hope will continue.
Observers note that cultivating relationships with UN member states holding temporary Security Council seats can be pivotal for Israel’s diplomatic positioning on resolutions and procedural matters.
Strategic goals in Latin America
Israeli officials say the visit aims to bolster a “strategic partnership between Israel and the countries and peoples of the region,” with an emphasis on trade, technology and security cooperation. Recent steps in the region — including a free trade agreement signed with Costa Rica and the opening of a trade office in Jerusalem — signal an effort to expand economic ties.
Some analysts suggest that Central American states, many of which maintain strong relations with the United States, may view closer cooperation with Israel as consistent with broader geopolitical alignments and economic interests.
Countering regional criticism and public sentiment
Herzog’s diplomatic tour also appears intended to counter growing vocal support for the Palestinian cause among some Latin American leaders and constituencies. Left-leaning presidents in countries such as Brazil and Colombia have expressed sharp criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, intensifying pressure on regional allies.
The visit follows incidents that prompted condemnation from regional leaders, including criticism over Israel’s interception and detention of activists on a humanitarian flotilla. Israeli officials are seeking to engage leaders and civil society to temper public dissent and to reaffirm bilateral cooperation.
Domestic and international context for the visit
The trip takes place against a backdrop of intense international debate over the Gaza conflict and the International Criminal Court’s legal scrutiny of Israeli leaders. Israeli leaders view diplomatic outreach as essential to sustaining strategic partnerships amid the heightened global debate.
Herzog’s meetings will therefore be judged both on immediate outcomes — such as pledges of cooperation and public statements — and on longer-term influence in shaping voting patterns and alliances in international institutions.
In the coming days, attention will fall on joint statements and any memoranda of understanding announced during the visits, as well as on how both Panama and Costa Rica position themselves in future multilateral votes involving Israel.