Abstract: The study examines Yugoslav Foreign Secretary Koča Popovićʼs May 1962 trip to Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, and Mexico, using archival materials, pertinent literature, and contemporary press sources. The Yugoslav stateʼs perspective on the current global situation was used to assess Popovićʼs activities in the aforementioned states. The effects of the visit and signed documents were examined in the paperʼs last section.

Keywords: Yugoslavia, Latin America, Diplomacy, Koča Popović, Non-Alignment

Summary: In May 1962, Konstantin Koča Popović, the Yugoslav state secretary for foreign affairs, made the first formal trip to Latin America as the head of Socialist Yugoslavia's diplomacy. He visited Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, and Mexico. The visitʼs primary goal was to strengthen bilateral collaboration as well as the Non-Aligment movementʼs broader global reach by presenting firsthand the Yugoslav leadershipʼs perspective on global issues. Popović aimed to provide the Latin American nations with a shared dedication to maintaining peace, the pursuit of increased autonomy, room for faster economic growth, and the chance to achieve notable advancements in those domains if they collaborate with other nations facing comparable circumstances worldwide. The huge economic reliance of Latin American nations on the United States, which did not favor the endeavor to incorporate those nations in the Non-Aligned Movement, was a major constraint, which the Yugoslav side was well aware of.

In addition to numerous other authorities, Popović met with the presidents and foreign ministers of Bolivia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, and Chile while he was in Latin America. Several agreements were signed, primarily concerning scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation. Additionally, the first-ever consular convention with a Latin American nation was signed with Bolivia. Each of the four nations stated that they would be open to increasing their economic cooperation. The Yugoslav side thought the agreements would serve as the foundation for future, more extensive collaboration, even though they were more demonstrative in nature than truly significant. Koča Popović’s tour of Latin American countries laid the groundwork for Josip Broz Tito’s visit to the region, which would take place a year later.