Turkey’s Relations with the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in the 21st Century: In Search of Strategic Autonomy

Abstract

Introduction. Turkey’s search for a new regional and global role in a changing world order has increased Ankara’s attention to the Global South, which was peripheral to its foreign policy priorities during the Cold War. Although Ankara’s growing engagement and influence in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region has attracted increasing attention from the research community, Turkey’s foreign policy in this region is still poorly understood. This article attempts to explore Turkey’s policy in LAC during the first decades of the 21st century, placing it in the context of Turkey’s increasing desire for “strategic autonomy.” Methods. The author used a case study approach to analyze Turkey’s policy in LAC. Results. After the Justice and Development Party came to power in Turkey in 2002, Turkey began a systematic effort to develop relations with LAC, expanding political, economic, and cultural ties with countries in the region. Since the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, Turkey’s foreign policy has been increasingly guided by the desire for “strategic autonomy.” Growing mistrust and conflicts in Turkey’s relations with the U.S. and the EU have increased Ankara’s interest in seeking alternative partnerships and building situational alliances. Although Ankara’s growing ties with LAC countries (especially Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina) increase the autonomy of its foreign policy, Turkey remains critically dependent on the West, both economically and in terms of security.