Representatives from the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean began a two-day summit in Colombia on Sunday aimed at strengthening cooperation between the regions. However, the meeting is dominated by heightened tensions surrounding the US military operation targeting ships suspected of transporting drugs in the waters of the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea.
Colombian authorities hope to achieve a joint statement renewable energy, food security, development financing, and technological cooperation were discussed at the conclusion of the Santa Marta summit. However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a fierce critic of the US airstrikes, warned that the deaths caused by these operations risked overshadowing other issues.
Since September, attacks carried out by US forces have more than 60 deadAccording to Washington, the killings took place on boats suspected of transporting drugs. Petro denounced the killings as "extrajudicial executions" and claimed that at least one victim was Colombian. An identified survivor is also believed to be from Colombia.
“What are we doing in today’s world, surrounded by missiles?” the Colombian president asked in his opening address, also mentioning the war in Gaza. “I would like this summit to be a beacon of light amidst the barbarity,” he added.
La relevance of the summit However, this was called into question due to the absence of several leading European figures, including the President of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Bogota justified these absences by citing a scheduling conflict with the UN climate conference, COP30, which is also underway.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are among the few heads of state present. Several speakers highlighted the progress made in trade, digital connectivity and the ecological transition“We choose dialogue, not division; cooperation, not confrontation,” said European Council President António Costa, without mentioning the American strikes.
Lula's presence was surprising, especially since Brazil was hosting COP30. His foreign minister, Mauro Vieira, explained that this decision reflected a gesture of regional solidarity with Venezuela, a country directly affected by American threats.
Brazilian Ambassador Gisela Padovan confirmed that the US airstrikes and tensions surrounding Venezuela These issues would be addressed at the summit. Lula also stated that he had urged Donald Trump, during their meeting in Malaysia, to avoid any military escalation and to draw inspiration from the attitude of George W. Bush, who had worked to mediate after the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chávez.
"I told Trump that Latin America is a region of peace," Lula said.
According to Alexander Main, from the think tank Center for Economic and Policy ResearchThis summit, the last major multilateral meeting of the year in the region, could offer a rare opportunity for frank discussion on the American military presence in the Caribbean. "This is clearly a priority for several regional leaders," he stressed.
