Brazil, Colombia and Mexico unite for immediate ceasefire in the Middle East

Amid the escalation of US and Israeli attacks against Iran, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico released this Friday (13) a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and defending a negotiated political solution. The text, published by Itamaraty, marks the most articulated movement so far by large Latin American nations against the logic of a military solution in the region.

In the note, the three governments reiterate “the need for disagreements between States to be resolved through international diplomacy, in line with the principles of the peaceful resolution of disputes”. The document states that it is “indispensable that, in the current conflict in the Middle East, an immediate ceasefire is declared, in order to open effective spaces for dialogue and negotiation”. The countries also express their willingness to “contribute to peace processes that generate confidence, in order to move towards a political and negotiated solution”.

Diplomatic pressure and reaction to escalation

The initiative takes place in a context of strong military tension, following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran that resulted in more than 1,200 deaths — including the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — and Iranian retaliations against Israel and US bases. The trilateral declaration appears as a diplomatic counterpoint to the war option.

In the global arena, Russia and China have publicly criticized the actions of Washington and Tel Aviv, demanding respect for international law and rejecting the narrative that Tehran is about to produce a nuclear weapon. In parallel, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, reinforced the call for a ceasefire and immediate de-escalation.

In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro had been articulating this joint position with President Lula, seeking to include other CELAC countries to demand an end to hostilities. The Mexican press reports that the bloc led by Mexico, Colombia and Brazil is offering itself as a possible mediator, insisting on the protection of civilians and the reestablishment of dialogue.