How Switzerland protected Latin American interests in Nazi Europe

Switzerland represented interests of Latin American countries during the Second World War. This helped it shape a global diplomatic network, much of which is still in place today. “On our part, we will send a note announcing that, as our offices in Germany will be closed on November 15, it will no longer be possible to take care of your interests, and we recommend that you contact the American authorities if necessary.” The note comes from an internal dossier from the foreign ministry. It’s dated November 1945, right after the end of the Second World War, and ends a little-known Swiss role: that of protector of 17 Latin Allied interests in Axis countries. Amid the collapse of international relations brought on by the conflict, Swiss neutrality became a strategic asset for the Alpine country. While countries in Latin America severed ties with the Axis powers – Germany, Italy and Japan, and occupied nations such as France – Bern assumed the role of guardian of their interests in Europe.