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Lawmakers from 15 countries across the region convened in Montevideo, Uruguay, this week for the First Congress of Latin American Legislators Against Antisemitism, a new group organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
The three-day forum drew 35 participants driven by a shared mission of fighting rising antisemitism and safeguarding democracy, pluralism, and interfaith coexistence throughout Latin America.
The agenda featured keynote remarks from political and community leaders, briefings on the latest global antisemitism data and trends, and interactive dialogue opportunities where the parliamentarians shared and brainstormed collaborative legislative approaches to rooting out antisemitism from their societies.
Uruguayan Congressman Conrado Rodríguez, the current president of Latin American Legislators Against Antisemitism, said, “This event has truly been very important. Legislators from across Latin America have come together to recount their experiences, see what is happening in each of our countries, and learn about concrete tools to confront antisemitism and hate speech.”
“We have seen legislative initiatives at different levels and, above all, we have strengthened ties that will allow us to advance a joint fight,” he added. “From parliaments, and in coordination with the executive branches, we seek to build common public policies to confront this scourge with a regional and coordinated vision.”
CAM Executive Director of Latin American Affairs Shay Salamon said, “The Congress marks a decisive step toward the consolidation of a firm and coordinated regional commitment. The active participation of legislators from Latin America demonstrates that there is a real willingness to confront antisemitism by strengthening legal frameworks, promoting education, and defending the democratic values that sustain our societies.”
One of the forum’s main sessions was held in the Events Hall of Uruguay’s iconic Legislative Palace, where special addresses were delivered by Uruguayan Senators Javier García and Graciela Bianchi, as well Congressman Fermín Farinha, who spoke on behalf of President of the Uruguayan Chamber of Representatives Rodrigo Goñi.
All expressed growing concern over the proliferation of antisemitism in Uruguay and beyond and voiced support for parliamentary-level initiatives to counter the trend.
The final day of the forum was highlighted by the participation of former President of Uruguay Julio María Sanguinetti, as well as Israeli Ambassador of Israel to Uruguay Michal Hershkovitz, who underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation in preventing and responding to antisemitism.
The lawmakers also joined Uruguay’s main national Yom HaShoah ceremony, commemorating the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
CAM’s outreach in Latin America began nearly five years ago, and since then it has worked diligently to build meaningful partnerships and friendships with influential leaders, legislators, diplomats, community organizations, and civil society activists from a diverse assortment of religious, political and cultural backgrounds in the region to combat antisemitism together.
During this time, CAM en Español has emerged as a key player in the battle against Jew-hatred in Latin America, with a growing coalition involved in impactful activities in countries including Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Honduras, among others.
CAM en Español has organized regional summits in Brazil in 2025, Costa Rica in 2024, Uruguay in 2023, Panama in 2022, and Guatemala in 2021, with the Dominican Republic next in line later this year.
The Montevideo forum’s Joint Declaration —
We, participants of the First Congress of the Latin American Coalition of Legislators Against Antisemitism, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and held in Montevideo, Uruguay, April 13-15, 2026, agree to the following declaration:
The horrendous scourge of antisemitism plaguing the world demands urgent attention from decisionmakers. Over the past four years, CAM has recorded a more than 250% increase in incidents globally, monitoring 6,819 in 2025 alone, including deadly acts of antisemitic terror in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Latin America has unfortunately not been immune from these grim trends, including right here in Uruguay, which has seen a disturbing rise in antisemitism that must be countered with firm and decisive leadership.
As public officials, we have a moral obligation to fight this bigotry and ensure the safety and welfare of all people of the region, including the Jewish constituents who form an integral part of our societies.
That critical mission is why we convened in Montevideo this week. With a collective vision and voice, we issue this call for impactful action.
We URGE regional, national, and local authorities, as well as businesses, civic entities, and NGOs, throughout Latin America to develop and enact zero-hate policies, legislative measures, executive orders, and social media regulations to identify and counter antisemitic manifestations.
We AFFIRM the vital need for widespread adoption and implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, the most authoritative and effective tool to delineate all contemporary forms of antisemitism, and we ASK Latin American leaders to embrace and champion the definition.
We ENCOURAGE the development of educational initiatives and interfaith programming to build bridges of deeper understanding, mutual respect, solidarity, and allyship between Jewish communities and the peoples of all faiths and backgrounds who comprise Latin America’s diverse human tapestry.
We STAND in resolute solidarity with the State of Israel and firmly back its right to self-defense against the Iranian regime and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the Houthis in Yemen.
We DEMAND that Iran be held accountable for its global terrorist activities, both past and present, including in Latin America, and we SUPPORT efforts to thwart its nuclear weapons ambitions, which threaten the security and stability of the Middle East and the entire world.
We REJECT all attempts to isolate and boycott the State of Israel, and we ADVOCATE the bolstering of bilateral ties between Latin American countries and Israel in every relevant realm, including diplomacy, security, trade, technology, economic development, agriculture, and tourism.
