MEXICO CITY
US President Donald Trump's return to power Monday has drawn mixed responses from Latin American leaders ranging from approval to caution.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa have cozied up to Trump, even being among the few selected regional heads of state to be personally invited to his inauguration ceremony.
Others, however, have reacted with diplomacy or even circumspection.
Uruguay
Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement extending its "sincere congratulations to the 47th president of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump," on the occasion of his inauguration.
It reaffirmed its commitment to continue working together to “deepen this bilateral relationship in all areas, based on a positive agenda that generates new opportunities for both nations and contributes to a region of greater prosperity, economic development and democracy.
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva congratulated Trump and offered his best wishes for his incoming administration through his X account, even though the two leaders are at odds with different policies, especially regarding the environment.
"On behalf of the Brazilian government, I congratulate President Donald Trump on his inauguration. Relations between Brazil and the United States are marked by a history of cooperation based on mutual respect and historical friendship. Our countries maintain strong ties in various areas such as trade, science, education and culture. I am confident that we can continue advancing in these and other partnerships. I wish President Trump a successful term, one that contributes to the prosperity and well-being of the people of the United States and to a more just and peaceful world," Lula wrote on X.
Honduras
Honduran President Xiomara Castro also congratulated Trump through her social media account, underscoring bilateral relations and migration, given that Honduras is one of the leading nationalities of the asylum seekers entering the US.
"On behalf of the People and Government of Honduras, we congratulate President Donald Trump on assuming the presidency of the United States. We reiterate our commitment to strengthening the dialogue on migration, addressing joint approaches for orderly, safe and legal migration. We trust in continuing to consolidate our historic partnership, promoting economic development and security for the benefit of both nations," she wrote on X.
Guatemala
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo expressed similar wishes on his X account in congratulating Trump.
"I congratulate the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on the new mandate he assumes. Guatemala and the United States have great opportunities for collaboration that will allow us to continue advancing on the major issues that unite our nations."
Mexico
As the US’s southern neighbor, its largest trading partner and the subject of Trump's campaign promises and threats, Mexico, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has navigated through his campaign trail with caution. Through her X account, she has maintained a diplomatic and friendly demeanor toward Trump.
"On behalf of the Government of Mexico, I congratulate Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. As neighbors and trade partners, dialogue, respect and cooperation will always be the hallmark of our relationship."
Panama
Yet other leaders, such as Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino have strayed from diplomacy and addressed Trump's overtly nationalistic tone, mainly when it has been directed towards the sovereignty of an entire country.
While refraining from congratulating Trump, Mulino addressed Trump’s promise to take back the Panama Canal, a key waterway for US goods and trade.
"On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its people, I must fully reject the statements made by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its canal," Mulino said in a press release on the day of Trump's inauguration.
"We exercise the right granted to us by the legal basis of the treaty, the dignity that distinguishes us, and the strength provided by international law as the appropriate means to handle relations between countries, and especially between allied and friendly nations, as demonstrated by history and our actions toward the United States," said the statement.
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also refrained from congratulating Trump. Instead, through his X account, he shared a video of Tesla CEO Elon Musk during Trump's inauguration ceremony, doing what some have identified as a "Sieg Heil," a victory salute used by Nazis.
"They say that we want to generalize the name of fascism to any human being. But no. The fascist is the one who wants to eliminate difference. The Nazi kills the different, kills the diversity that is the foundation of life," he wrote.
Musk was by far the biggest single lobbyist on the US campaign trail, donating a staggering $277 million to Trump's campaign. The billionaire from South Africa was promptly given a post inside the US government in the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
