This chapter discusses conventional International Relations theories and more recent approaches and their ability to make sense of the surge. It addresses the relationship between COVID-19 and Latin America’s international partnerships. The newly acquired economic stability and high growth rates in Latin America for most of the first two decades of the 21st century have placed the region under the radar of several emerging countries, namely the People’s Republic of China, Japan, India, Turkey, Israel, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Indonesia. For instance, India’s interest in Latin America increased from 2003, and Iran and Indonesia’s from 2005, thus reflecting domestic policy choices and strategies. South Africa elected Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela as privileged partners, while South Korea made Mexico and Brazil its first targets for market access reasons. South-South cooperation has recently gained prominence in academia and policymaking.
