(SeaPRwire) – By: Julian Holbrooke
The Dominican Republic’s decision to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism is being hailed as a landmark step against hate. But let’s cut through the moral rhetoric. This move is a calculated geopolitical play, one that aligns the Caribbean nation tightly with the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape Latin American foreign policy. It’s not just about protecting Jewish communities—it’s about signaling loyalty to Washington in a region where U.S. influence has faced growing challenges.
Officially, President Luis Abinader ordered his foreign ministry to formalize the adoption, making the Dominican Republic the 48th country globally and seventh in Latin America to embrace the IHRA framework. He announced the decision at the Combat Antisemitism Movement’s annual Latin American Forum Against Antisemitism in Santo Domingo. Abinader’s remarks framed antisemitism as a threat to all democratic coexistence, not just Jewish groups. He emphasized that rejecting hate doesn’t take sides in political conflicts, and tied the move to his country’s history: post the 1938 Évian Conference, hundreds of Jewish refugees rebuilt their lives in Sosúa. To honor that legacy, he pledged 50 million Dominican pesos for a new Jewish Museum of Sosúa. Now the subtext: U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, was front and center at the forum. He praised the decision as a “historic moment” and explicitly urged other Latin American governments to follow suit. Kaploun didn’t stop there—he held up the Trump administration’s domestic actions as a blueprint. That includes holding universities accountable, prosecuting hate crimes, revising visa vetting, and withdrawing from UN bodies accused of promoting terrorism and antisemitism. This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a signal that Washington expects its allies to mirror its approach to these issues.
The official narrative leans on alarming data to justify the move. The Combat Antisemitism Movement’s Research Center reported 767 antisemitic incidents globally in March 2026—nearly 25 a day, a 32.5% jump from March 2025. By the end of 2025, 1,334 governments, institutions, and organizations worldwide had adopted the IHRA definition. These figures paint a picture of a growing crisis that demands urgent action. But look closer at the geopolitical undercurrents. The Trump administration has long sought to strengthen its alliances in Latin America, particularly on issues related to Israel and pushback against multilateralism. The IHRA definition, while non-legally binding, provides a clear framework for aligning domestic policies with U.S. priorities. For the Dominican Republic, adopting it isn’t just a moral choice—it’s a way to secure U.S. support, whether diplomatic, economic, or security-related. Other Latin American countries will now face pressure: align with Washington and adopt the definition, or risk being labeled soft on antisemitism and facing potential repercussions. This creates a split in the region, between those willing to tie their policies to U.S. agenda and those that prioritize independent governance.
The geopolitical pendulum in Latin America is swinging toward greater U.S. alignment on issues of antisemitism and Israel. The Dominican Republic’s move isn’t an isolated act—it’s a domino that could push more countries to adopt the IHRA framework. This will reshape regional alliances, creating a bloc of U.S.-friendly nations and leaving others on the sidelines. The fight against antisemitism is real, but its use as a geopolitical tool can’t be ignored.
Author bio: Julian Holbrooke, an international relations analyst contributing to major European dailies, focuses on Latin American geopolitical shifts.