US Considers Visa and Trade Sanctions as Chile Distances Itself From Israel
The United States is considering sanctions against Chile over its increasingly hostile posture toward Israel, Gabriel Colodro reports for The Media Line. Tensions have escalated since the Chilean government withdrew its military attachés from Tel Aviv, accusing Israel of “disproportionate and indiscriminate” actions in Gaza and obstructing aid deliveries. The US administration under President Donald Trump is now reviewing a range of punitive options, including ending Chile’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program, increasing tariffs, suspending visa services, and potentially closing the US consulate in Santiago.
The Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, is expected to address foreign policy during his nationally televised Cuenta Pública speech today. While it remains uncertain, some analysts believe he may announce a full diplomatic break with Israel—a move that would mark a sharp shift in Chile’s international alignment and echo steps taken by other leftist leaders in the region, such as Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro.
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The American response could mirror its reaction to Petro, with officials signaling that Washington is prepared to take significant action to defend the US-Israel alliance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently affirmed the administration’s commitment to fighting antisemitism and restricting access to foreign nationals who incite hatred toward Jewish communities.
Chile’s distancing from Israel has been growing since Boric took office in 2022, with delays in diplomatic accreditation, exclusion of Israeli firms from a major aerospace fair, and the recall of its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
Colodro reports that while a total rupture has not yet occurred, the diplomatic fallout could reshape Chile’s relations with the West, particularly if it drifts closer to Iran and other anti-Israel actors in the region.
Read the full story by Gabriel Colodro for detailed coverage and exclusive insights.
