Mexico refuses to designate Iran’s proxies as terrorist groups |
Mexico refuses to designate Iran’s proxies as terrorist groups
Five months ago, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Mexico, Eina Kranz Neiger. The plot was thwarted; however, it exposed the presence of terrorist elements within the neighboring country.
Since the outbreak of the war, Latin America has closed ranks against the brutality of the ayatollahs. Alleged members of Hezbollah have been captured, military agreements with Tehran have been severed, diplomats have been expelled and both Hamas and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have been designated as terrorist organizations.
Mexico, however, has refused to take any of these actions.
In Mexico, the Iranian Embassy operates as a media hub for propaganda against the United States and Israel, in violation of all diplomatic protocols — including the Vienna Convention itself. Meanwhile, reports indicate that more than 1,200 Iranians entered the country between January and February of this year — a record figure, three times higher than that of 2025.
Mexico, the United States’ main trading partner, has aligned itself with the radical stances adopted by the governments of Colombia and Brazil, which label Israel as genocidal and openly condemn U.S. military actions in Venezuela and against Tehran.
Mexico has also decided to reach out to Spain — a European Union member state that has refused to cooperate with the United States regarding the conflict with Iran. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she will participate in a Summit for Democracy alongside countries that maintain hardline stances against Israel and the war against Iranian terrorism.
Despite this, President Trump’s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine — dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine” — has fundamentally altered the stance of the Americas toward the ayatollah regime.
In Bolivia, following the end of 20 years of socialist rule, the new government has reestablished diplomatic relations with Israel, cancelled a military cooperation agreement with Iran and suspended exchanges regarding border security as well as the supply of drones.
Bolivia had previously maintained a dangerously close relationship with Iran; indeed, there had been reports of Hamas and Hezbollah operatives present within its territory. Now, however, the new Bolivian government is a firm ally of the United States, and it has reactivated its relationship with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Venezuela, Iran’s strongest ally in South America, has begun to distance itself from the regime. Initially, Caracas issued a statement “condemning and lamenting” the attack on the Persian dictatorship. Minutes later, the statement vanished — and with it, all expressions of solidarity.
Costa Rica slammed the door on Iran’s theocratic regime, designating Hezbollah, Hamas, the IRGC and Ansar Allah — also known as the Houthi militia — as terrorist organizations. Argentina expelled Mohsen Soltani, Iran’s top diplomatic representative, from the country. Javier Milei’s government declared the IRGC a terrorist organization.
Ecuador has also designated Hamas, Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organizations. The country’s government reported the capture of an alleged Hezbollah member and the deportation of an Iranian national.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was unequivocal in expressing his unwavering support for Israel and the United States in their fight against Iran. He highlighted that his country has designated Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRGC as terrorist organizations. Panama also condemned Iran’s brutal attacks against the non-military targets in the Middle Eastern nations. The Central American country joined calls to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and respect for international trade laws.
Mexico is a great country but a complicated partner. On one hand, it refuses to accept U.S. assistance to eradicate drug trafficking organizations; on the other, it avoids designating Hezbollah, Hamas and IRGC as terrorist organizations.
Despite Mexico’s opposition, Latin America stands today as the region that has most decisively shut its doors to the Iranian threat. The “New Monroe Doctrine” has paved the way for new designations against Iran’s destructive proxies — an unprecedented development for a region that previously welcomed Iranian diplomats and military personnel.
These are neither random nor isolated events; they are the results of a new leadership in the United States — one where peace through strength is not an empty promise, but a consistent strategy that is yielding tangible results. The Iranian regime is not welcome in the Americas anymore.
Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the Organization of American States, and a former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. He is an alumnus of the National Defense University’s Security and Defense Seminar and the Harvard Leadership course.
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