Widespread Latin American opposition to Trump’s Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that America will take control of Gaza and displace its people have sparked widespread criticism across Latin America. Political leaders, activists and citizens condemned his plan as imperialistic, inhumane and a violation of international law. Latin America, a region with a deep history of colonial resistance and a strong commitment to sovereignty and human rights, has responded with unified disapproval to Trump’s assertions.

Several Latin American governments issued statements rejecting the US president’s rhetoric. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was among the first to speak out, emphasising that any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza would constitute an egregious violation of human rights. Lula, who has previously criticised Western interventions in the Middle East, reaffirmed Brazil’s support for Palestinian self-determination and denounced any attempt at forced population transfers.

Despite his close alignment with some right-wing ideologies, Argentina’s President Javier Milei also distanced himself from Trump’s comments, stating that Buenos Aires upholds international law and the territorial integrity of all nations. Similarly, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the idea of any external control over Gaza, reaffirming Mexico’s long-standing support for peaceful resolutions and non-interventionist policies.

Chile and Colombia, both of which have significant Palestinian diaspora communities, also expressed strong opposition. Chilean President Gabriel Boric denounced Trump’s remarks as “a dangerous step toward further destabilisation and an affront to the dignity of the Palestinian people.” While Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the statements “neo-colonial” and reiterated that Latin America would not support any imperialistic policies that seek to dispossess people from their homeland.

Lula responde Trump sobre o plano de limpeza étnica de Gaza:

“O que aconteceu em Gaza foi genocídio. Os Estados Unidos são parte disso e não é o país para cuidar de Gaza. Quem tem que cuidar de Gaza são os palestinos” pic.twitter.com/wnE6w1Ik0Z

— FEPAL – Federação Árabe Palestina do Brasil (@FepalB) February 5, 2025

According to Brazilian political analyst Sayid Marcos Tenorio, Brazilian President Lula da Silva strongly challenged Trump’s arrogant and colonialist stance.

“Lula was unequivocal in his condemnation, asserting that the events in Gaza constituted genocide. Furthermore, he held the United States accountable for the destruction, the killing of Palestinians, and the war crimes committed by the Zionist regime,” Tenorio told MEMO.

Shifting narratives: How Brazilian media covered the genocidal war in Gaza (2023–2025)

“Lula directly confronted both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the Palestinians themselves must govern Gaza. His remarks underscore the persistent US policy of disregarding the historic rights of the Palestinian people and ignoring United Nations resolutions on the Palestinian issue,” he added.

Many Latin Americans, whose countries have historic ties to the Palestinian struggle, view the proposal as a direct threat to the fragile peace efforts in the Middle East. “Latin America stands with Gaza, with peace, and against any form of external control,” said political analyst Carla Rodriguez from the University of Buenos Aires, underlining the solidarity felt by many in the region with the Palestinian cause.

Lula denunciou a política nazista de Trump para a Faixa de Gaza!

“Os EUA participaram do incentivo a tudo que Israel fez na Faixa de Gaza. Então, não faz sentido se reunir com o presidente de Israel e dizer: ‘nós vamos ocupar Gaza, vamos recuperar Gaza, vamos morar em Gaza.’ pic.twitter.com/SDkugXLxBX

— Instituto Brasil-Palestina 🇵🇸 (@Ibraspal) February 5, 2025

Beyond governmental condemnation, Latin America’s vibrant civil society mobilised in response to Trump’s statements. Human rights organisations, student movements and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups held demonstrations calling for solidarity with the Palestinian people and demanding respect for international law.

In major cities such as Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Santiago and Mexico City, thousands have taken to the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting against foreign intervention in Gaza. Social media campaigns have amplified the rejection, with hashtags such as #GazaLibre and #NoAlColonialismo trending in various countries. Academics and intellectuals also published open letters denouncing the notion of displacing Gaza’s residents and warning of the dangers of unilateral control over the territory.

Latin America has a long history of supporting Palestinian rights. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela have recognised Palestine as a sovereign state and have often criticised Israel’s policies. Many Latin American leaders see parallels between their own histories of colonialism, oppression and foreign intervention and the struggles faced by Palestinians.

A significant number of Latin American governments, especially those with left-wing administrations, align themselves with anti-imperialist principles. This often leads them to oppose US foreign policy, which is viewed as an extension of Western imperialism. Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza is seen as part of the US’s broader pattern of interference in Middle Eastern politics, with Latin American leaders framing it as an unjust extension of American power. Many of these governments believe that the US should not impose its will on sovereign countries and regions, especially in ways that undermine international law.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.