Panama emerges as Israel’s strongest strategic partner in Latin America

March 29, 2026, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar spoke With Panamanian Javier Martínez Acha Vázquez. The two leaders discussed the war against the Iranian regime and other common concerns. Surprisingly, Panama’s opponent informed Israeli diplomat who helped Panama secure extradition from Venezuela of Ali Zaki Hage Jalil from Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez. Jalil participated in the 1994 bombing of Alas Chiricanas Flight 901. killed All 21 people were on board the ship, including 12 members of Panama’s Jewish community and four Israelis. American, Panamanian, and Israeli intelligence agencies have long attributed the operation to Hezbollah. After more than 30 years, the Central American country has finally brought a key suspect to justice.

this handover reflect The deepening geopolitical partnership between Israel and Panama is one of the most substantial security, intelligence, and defense relationships that Israel maintains in Latin America. This relationship is based on common threats from Iran and Hezbollah networks. handle The Western Hemisphere is a theater for terrorist financing, drug trafficking, and proxy operations. Panama control The Panama Canal is one of the world’s key arteries for global maritime trade. Israel supplies Advanced technology, intelligence expertise and decades of experience in countering the same axis.

The foundation dates back to the founding of the State of Israel. Panama I voted supported the United Nations Partition Plan of 1947; recognized Israel in 1948. Panamanian registered airline during Israel’s War of Independence smuggled 13 American-made aircraft are dispatched to the struggling Israeli military. Golda Meir, former Israeli Prime Minister visited Meetings in Panama in 1959 emphasized the warmth that had initially characterized bilateral relations. However, a quiet security contact, survived Despite a diplomatic chill in the 1970s, Panama deliberately approached the Non-Aligned Movement in order to rally broader international support for its sovereignty movement against the United States over control of the Panama Canal.

These connections have now matured into full operational cooperation. panama police receive Regular training by Israeli instructors. Jewish private security and intelligence consultants have operated in Panama City for decades. current panama army use Israeli-made Tabor assault rifle is standard equipment. From 2010 to 2014, Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli visited Israel has twice signed several cooperation agreements. 2012, Panama obtained Advanced cyber intelligence tools from NSO Group, an Israeli cyber intelligence company. In 2022, both countries will signed A formal cybersecurity cooperation agreement covering education, information sharing, and joint capabilities. In Panama City, hosted The Cybertech Latin America conference has been held multiple times over the past decade and has been attended by Israeli companies and regional partners.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama in 2023 guided A high-level delegation, including the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Agricultural Development, was sent to Israel with the aim of expanding ties between the two countries and ensuring that Israeli expertise protects Panama’s most important assets. Israel’s advanced water management, drip irrigation, desalination and smart water technologies support A pilot project to help the Panama Canal survive droughts. Israel’s skills in logistics security, port control, and border surveillance further protect this global chokepoint.

Certainly economic relations accelerate. The first bilateral free trade agreement between Panama and a Middle Eastern country entered into force on January 1, 2020. In 2024, Panama will Itransplanted Goods from Israel amounted to $46 million, of which $19 million was arms and ammunition. Exports from Panama to Israel have grown at an annual rate of 72% over the past five years.

At the heart of this partnership is the Panama Canal. In 2025 the canal will be recorded The number of shipments was 13,404, and the cargo handling volume was 489.1 million tons. This represents approximately 6 percent of global seaborne trade and approximately 40 percent of U.S. container shipping. Traffic volume increased further in the first half of 2026, with 6,288 crossings and 254 million tons of cargo, an increase of 5% year-on-year. Recent global events highlight that risk. The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis was triggered by Iran’s closure of the waterway amid an escalating conflict, forcing major rerouting of oil and energy shipments. business paid Alternative routes through the Panama Canal can command up to $4 million per ship, and demand is surging.

In this volatile environment, Panama-Israel security cooperation assumes geopolitical importance. Israel’s cyber and critical infrastructure expertise directly strengthens the canal’s resilience against hybrid threats, from sabotage by Iranian proxies to economic pressure from great powers. In early April, Israel publicly supported Panama opposes China’s actions targeting Panamanian-flagged vessels and strengthens the partnership’s role in countering Chinese influence over Latin America’s key infrastructure. To emphasize this point, Israeli President Isaac Herzog made The first official visit to Panama by an Israeli president.

Politically, Panama stands out throughout Latin America. It remains the only country in the region that has never done so. recognized Palestinian state. Panama, October 28, 2025 launched An Israeli parliamentary group dedicated to deepening cooperation in technology, agriculture, security, and innovation. Largest Jewish community in Central America with approximately 10,000 peopleserve As a natural bridge to strengthen business, cultural and political relationships.

in a hemisphere where Iranian and Hezbollah networks are frequently present. face With little resistance, Panama opted for concrete partnerships. By pursuing justice for the victims of 1994, embracing Israeli training and technology, and strengthening the canal amid a surge in global traffic and great power competition, Panama is demonstrating what a meaningful geostrategic alliance can really do.