Paraguay’s New President Announces Embassy’s Return to Jerusalem

In a significant diplomatic shift, Paraguay’s newly inaugurated President Santiago Peña confirmed on Tuesday that the country plans to reopen its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem in the upcoming months. This decision follows in the footsteps of the US, Kosovo, Guatemala, and Honduras, all of whom have relocated their embassies to the Israeli capital.

The announcement came during Peña’s meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, hours after his swearing-in. Cohen extended an invitation for a presidential visit, proposing that Peña could use the opportunity to rededicate the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem. The foreign minister also expressed Israel’s intention to inaugurate its embassy in Asunción, Paraguay’s capital. Peña responded, calling himself “Israel’s greatest friend.”

Cohen reiterated Israel’s commitment to strengthening ties with Latin American nations supportive of Israel and Jewish communities.

Paraguay moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 but closed it a few months later, after the election of President Mario Abdo Benítez. The move sparked tensions between the two countries, leading Israel to retaliate by closing its own embassy in Paraguay.