Israeli President Isaac Herzog will depart on May 6 for a four-day official visit to Panama and Costa Rica, marking a historic first stop in Panama City and a high-level appearance at a presidential inauguration in San José.
Herzog’s visit to Panama will be the first by an Israeli president. He is scheduled to meet with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and senior government officials to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening strategic ties.
The visit follows a previous meeting between Herzog and Mulino on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the two men agreed to advance relations between their countries. Herzog is also expected to meet with members of the local Jewish community.
From Panama, Herzog will travel to Costa Rica to attend the inauguration of President-elect Laura Fernández Delgado, at the invitation of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves Robles.
While in Costa Rica, Herzog will meet with Fernández Delgado and other international leaders attending the ceremony and participate in a state dinner hosted by Chaves Robles. He is also scheduled to meet with representatives of the Jewish community. Costa Rica’s Jewish population, estimated at 2,500–5,000, is centered in San José, where it maintains communal institutions, including a synagogue, community center and kosher facilities.
Panama is home to Central America’s largest Jewish community, with an estimated 12,000–15,000 members, most of whom live in Panama City. Panama‘s ambassador to Israel, Ezra Cohen, a prominent businessman and former leader of the country’s Jewish community, presented his credentials to Herzog in January 2025. Cohen, who has been instrumental in coordinating the trip, was invited to accompany Herzog on his visit to Panama.
“President Herzog’s visit to Panama and Costa Rica reflects the importance of Israel’s ties with countries across Latin America and the renewed momentum in Israel’s relations with Central and South American nations,” the President’s Office said in a statement. “This visit is intended to deepen and strengthen the strategic partnership between Israel and the countries and peoples of the region.”
Herzog visited Kazakhstan in late April at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in a trip focused on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in innovation and technology. During the two-day trip, he met with senior leadership, participated in joint forums and engaged with the Jewish community.
