From Puerto Rico, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos analyzed the regional geopolitical landscape and warned of the impact that countries adopting adverse positions toward Israel could face.

Cayey, Puerto Rico – November 1, 2023

In an international context marked by the heightened geopolitical tension following the events of October 7, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos, president of The Great Tent Cathedral, issued a firm warning regarding the diplomatic decisions that some countries of Latin America are adopting regarding the State of Israel.

During his remarks, the Puerto Rican leader focused on what he described as a distortion of the international narrative, in which —according to his analysis— an attempt is being made to invert the roles of the conflict. In this regard, he denounced the construction of a narrative that presents Israel as the aggressor, obscuring the true origin of the hostilities.

In parallel to that, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos analyzed with concern the diplomatic shift beginning to arise from across the region, particularly in light of recent decisions such as Bolivia’s severing of ties with Israel. In that regard, he firmly expressed: “I saw that Bolivia, I think it was another country that would be cutting ties with Israel, I’m not sure if they already did it. They’ve gotten themselves into serious trouble!”

Once the measure was confirmed, he deepened his analysis with a direct warning: “‘Bolivia cuts ties with Israel.’” In other words, we’re already seeing how all of that is happening. Imagine! In other words, there has to be a reason for them to receive what they have to receive.”

Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos’ assertion did not stop at a specific analysis, but extended to a broader reading of the region’s strategic positioning. Within this framework, he maintained that foreign policy decisions regarding Israel are neither neutral nor isolated, but can carry profound consequences for the countries involved. In his words: “We want Latin America to not suffer and to not face such disastrous consequences; but a country that goes against Israel, it says that ‘he who blesses you will be blessed, and he who curses you will be cursed.’”

The analysis also included other countries in the region, particularly Chile and Colombia, in relation to their recent diplomatic decisions. On this matter, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos referred to the moves made by both governments in recalling their ambassadors to Israel for consultations, interpreting these actions as part of a broader regional trend that, in his view, responds to wider external pressures.

From his perspective, this type of position reflects an international alignment that could carry significant consequences for the states that adopt them. In this regard, he warned of the risk that a series of cascading diplomatic decisions could give rise to a scenario of greater regional instability.

His closing message made clear a central concern: the impact that these decisions could have not only on the diplomatic level, but also on the political and strategic future of Latin America.