From Shakira to Salma Hayek: Türkiye begins research on Los Turcos in Latin America

Türkiye recognizes groups that migrated from Ottoman lands to Latin America and are known as “Los Turcos” as part of its extended family of communities. Abdullah Eren, President of Department of Turkish and Relative Communities (YTB), announced the launch of an extensive identification study to preserve the historical and cultural value of these communities.

Between 1860 and 1920, significant waves of migration occurred from Ottoman territories such as Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, and Syria, and a few from Anatolia to Latin America. These migrants, due to their Ottoman origins, were referred to as “El Turco” or “Los Turcos” in Latin America. Among their descendants are figures such as Nayib Bukele from El Salvador, Mario Abdo Benitez from Paraguay, and Luis Abinader from the Dominican Republic. Notable personalities in the entertainment industry include Colombian singer Shakira and Mexican actress Salma Hayek, while business world names like Carlos Slim also belong to this community.

YTB has initiated a comprehensive research program on the presence and impact of Los Turcos communities. Abdullah Eren stated, “We are protecting our communities such as the Bosnians and Albanians. We are also evaluating the Ottoman-origin groups that migrated to South America in the 19th century.”

What is the scope and objective of the research program?

The “Migration of Los Turcos to Latin America” Research Support Program aims to investigate the migration processes of Ottoman citizens and their current political, economic, and cultural presence. The program will focus on areas such as migration sociology, Middle Eastern diaspora studies, and Mahjar literature.

• Supported projects will target the following objectives:
• Revealing the connections with the Ottoman Empire and Türkiye
• Documenting the collective memories of Los Turcos communities
• Identifying the origins, histories, and current status of these communities
• Highlighting the success stories of prominent individuals and families
• Examining relationships with the Ottoman Empire and Turks
• Exploring connections with the homeland in literary and artistic works
• Mapping the regions where these communities are concentrated

This extensive research effort aim to deepen the understanding of the historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and Latin America and shed light on the influence of immigrant communities from past to present.