Electoral shifts in Latin America are testing the cohesion of the Hague Group, a prominent international bloc launched in January 2025 by Global South governments to turn diplomatic support for the Palestinians into coordinated pressure on Israel over its aggression on Gaza.

Its founding members including South Africa, Namibia, Chile, Brazil, Senegal, Colombia, Belize, Bolivia, Honduras and Malaysia. The group called for blocking weapons transfers to Israel that could facilitate violations of international law and restricting vessels suspected of carrying military supplies for Israeli operations.

For a time, the Hague Group appeared to be gaining momentum, with Colombia and South Africa emerging as key political forces and its meetings attracting governments beyond the bloc’s original membership. But electoral changes in Latin America have begun to weaken that cohesion. 

Bolivia, a founding member and previously one of Israel’s strongest critics, reversed course after President Rodrigo Paz took office. It restored full diplomatic relations with Israel in December 2025 and formally withdrew from the Hague Group in March 2026, arguing that questions of international responsibility should be handled through established UN and legal mechanisms.

Bolivia, a founding member and previously one of Israel’s strongest critics, reversed course after President Rodrigo Paz took office. It restored full diplomatic relations with Israel in December 2025 and formally withdrew from the Hague Group in March 2026, arguing that questions of international responsibility should be handled through established UN and legal mechanisms.

Honduras announced its withdrawal the same day, following the election of conservative President Nasry Asfura, whose government said it wanted a more sovereign, independent and balanced foreign policy. The departures of Bolivia and Honduras exposed a central vulnerability of the coalition: its strength depends heavily on the political survival of governments willing to maintain pressure on Israel. The most significant change, however, has taken place in Colombia, once one of the Hague Group’s leading members.

Colombia’s new government agreed with Israel to restore full diplomatic relations, exchange ambassadors and revive bilateral cooperation. The shift also included plans to resume Colombian coal exports, remove visa requirements and move Colombia’s embassy to Jerusalem. More significantly, Bogotá decided to withdraw from the Hague Group and end its involvement in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Colombia’s new government agreed with Israel to restore full diplomatic relations, exchange ambassadors and revive bilateral cooperation. The shift also included plans to resume Colombian coal exports,........

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