Israel’s Foreign Minister Arrives in Ecuador to Launch Trade and Security Partnership

Ecuador is adding another major trade partner to its rapidly expanding dance card.

The Visit

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is visiting Ecuador this week as part of a Latin American diplomatic tour that has already included stops in Washington, D.C. for meetings with Argentine, Paraguayan, and Ecuadorian counterparts.

The visit marks the formal launch of negotiations for a bilateral trade and security cooperation agreement between Ecuador and Israel. Saar met with Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld to discuss commercial and security matters.

What’s Being Negotiated

The partnership has two main tracks:

Trade:

• Ecuador and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Economic and Commercial Cooperation, beginning formal conversations toward a trade agreement
• Key Ecuadorian exports to Israel include bananas, shrimp, cacao, and cut flowers
• Israel is offering agricultural technology, irrigation systems, and precision farming expertise — areas where Ecuador’s agricultural sector could benefit enormously

Security:

• Israel is one of the world’s leading exporters of surveillance technology, cybersecurity systems, and border security infrastructure
• Ecuador has already opened an innovation office in Israel through the Ministry of Production and Trade
• Security cooperation is expected to include intelligence-sharing frameworks and potentially the acquisition of Israeli security technology for Ecuador’s ongoing fight against organized crime

The Bigger Picture

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made Latin America a priority focus for 2026, seeking to build a coalition of “pro-Western” governments in the region. The strategy targets countries that have maintained or strengthened ties with Israel despite the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Ecuador fits the profile: the Noboa government has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel while several Latin American nations (Colombia, Bolivia, Chile) have recalled ambassadors or downgraded ties.

What This Means for Expats

• More trade partners = a more diversified economy. Ecuador is now simultaneously negotiating deals with the U.S., Israel, UAE, and South Korea. A more diversified trade portfolio reduces the risk of economic shocks from any single partner
• Israeli agricultural tech could improve food quality. Israel is a global leader in drip irrigation, greenhouse technology, and desert agriculture. If this technology transfers to Ecuador, it could improve produce quality and reduce costs
• Security technology could be a double-edged sword. Better surveillance and intelligence capabilities could help reduce crime, but expats should be aware that enhanced government surveillance is part of the package
• Ecuador’s geopolitical alignment is shifting rapidly. Under Noboa, Ecuador has moved firmly into the U.S.-Israel orbit — a significant change from the Correa years

Sources: Primicias, Infobae, Gobierno de Ecuador