ABSTRACT
In the 21st century, Turkey has extended and deepened its ties in Latin America with intensity and tenacity. This chapter contends that while regional and international structural variables have offered the context for Ankara’s assertive policies, they are nonetheless filtered through domestic political and decision-making factors. The chapter reconstructs turning points in Turkish-Latin American interactions during two externally driven cycles, 1996–2002 and 2003–present day. These two phases correspond to the first and second parts of the chapter. The second part of the chapter specifically focuses on junctures in six issue areas or themes, such as the institutionalization of intergovernmental political and economic relations, trade and investment, aid and cooperation, cultural and public diplomacy, defence diplomacy, and the assertion of international principles and norms. Finally, the chapter examines the governmental, individual and societal actors and processes driving Turkey-LAC relations.
