Sa’ar meets counterparts from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, hails ‘growing’ ties with Latin America

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met with the foreign ministers of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay overnight during his visit to Washington, his office says.

While visiting the US for a summit hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sa’ar met with Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano, Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo, and Viviana Bobo, a senior advisor to Rubio on Latin American affairs.

The ministers discussed bilateral ties and “cooperation in areas including the economy and innovation,” as well as the “great change” taking place in Latin America, where government support for Israel is increasing with the rise of several right-wing governments.

“The relationship between Israel and Latin America is growing stronger and becoming more established,” Sa’ar says in a statement on the meeting, adding that the ministers “talked about the great change in Latin America and also about the challenges and dangers faced from its enemies.”

The meeting comes after Colombia’s incoming foreign minister told Sa’ar yesterday that Bogota will restore full diplomatic relations with Israel and open an embassy in Jerusalem. Bolivia renewed ties with Israel in December following the entry of a right-wing government.