Libya Latin America Diplomacy: A New Strategic Outreach Beyond Europe and the Arab World

In light of the rapid transformations in the international scene, there has become an urgent need for Libya to expand its diplomatic circles towards new spaces outside the two traditional frameworks, European and Arab. The Latin space, extending from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south, stands out as a promising region for building partnerships based on equality and the exchange of interests away from traditional calculations of influence.

For many decades, Libyan-Latin relations have remained limited and weak in influence, as they were mostly restricted to symbolic contacts or political positions in international forums, however, today’s geopolitical reality requires Tripoli to reassess its view of the continent now a vast market of more than 660 million people, home to countries with enormous natural wealth, diversified economies, and increasingly independent political positions in the emerging global order.

Openness to the major axes of influence appears essential at this stage.

Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico represent the three main power centers in Latin America and serve as key gateways to the wider region, by reactivating diplomatic representation in Brasilia, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires, Libya could unlock pathways for economic, political, and security cooperation. Their growing interest in Africa also offers opportunities to integrate these countries into joint Libyan-African initiatives.

Brazil especially stands out as an emerging economic model, with more than 210 million inhabitants, it has become one of the world’s leading food exporters and a global hub for bioenergy, aviation, and technology manufacturing. This makes its experience highly relevant to Libya’s efforts to diversify energy sources, strengthen food security, and build a competitive agricultural and industrial economy despite political challenges.

Central America also offers a promising bridge for renewed relations. Countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, and El Salvador though geographically small benefit from strategic locations, political stability, and economic openness.

Costa Rica provides a model in sustainable development and strong civil institutions.

Panama, with its globally vital canal and financial center, could serve as a logistical gateway for Libyan trade to Latin American markets.

Guatemala and El Salvador present opportunities in agriculture and agri technology, which Libya needs to support its long-term food security goals.

Peru represents another key point of balance in these emerging relations. With exports accounting for about 26% of GDP and a reputation for economic stability, Peru possesses strong capabilities in mineral resource management and renewable energy. Cooperation with Peru could help Libya develop technical knowledge in mining, clean energy, and SME development. As a member of the Pacific Alliance which includes Mexico, Chile, and Colombia Peru provides access to a broader regional network.

Chile also stands out as a successful case, particularly its transformation of the copper sector into a global economic engine under stable and transparent regulatory frameworks, its solar energy leadership in the Atacama Desert could offer Libya valuable guidance as it explores clean energy options.

Economic and trade cooperation further strengthens the strategic logic of Libyan engagement, Libya can position itself as a bridge linking Latin America to Africa and the Mediterranean through its port system, while joint business councils with Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance could open doors for expanded trade in fertilizers, agricultural products, energy, and logistics, latin American trade grew by around 4% in 2024, a sign of growing economic vitality.

The Libya Foreign Investment Fund could also direct part of its investments toward infrastructure or port projects in Panama, Chile, and Peru countries known for stable investment climates thus enhancing Libya’s external economic presence.

Cultural and human relations provide another essential dimension, Libya could launch scholarship exchanges, open cultural centers in Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, and organize Arab-Latin cultural weeks to highlight Libyan heritage. The large Arab diaspora in Brazil and Chile could also act as an organic bridge for building deeper people to people ties.

Cooperation in international forums represents an additional area of convergence, Libya and many Latin American countries share similar principles regarding state sovereignty, international justice, and rejection of unilateral dominance. Coordination in the United Nations, the Group of 77, and the Non Aligned Movement can therefore strengthen Libya’s diplomatic positioning.

In conclusion, Libya’s openness to Latin and Central America is not a secondary or symbolic move it is a strategic necessity in a world moving toward multipolarity, the region represents a laboratory of economic and political experiences from which Libya can benefit, while also offering a rising collective voice in global affairs. A purposeful, well calculated Libyan engagement grounded in cooperation rather than ceremonial diplomacy could provide Tripoli with new depth and wider horizons in the evolving international landscape.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of this publication.