BOGOTA, Colombia — A pivotal two-day summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) commenced on Sunday in Colombia, aiming to bolster regional ties amidst escalating tensions over U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels. However, the summit’s significance has been questioned due to the absence of several high-profile leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Colombian officials attributed these absences to scheduling conflicts with the ongoing United Nations climate summit, emphasizing the participation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as key attendees. The summit, hosted in Santa Marta, is expected to focus on renewable energy, food security, financing, and technological cooperation, with the signing of the Declaration of Santa Marta as a primary objective. However, the U.S. military operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, which have resulted in over 60 fatalities since September, are likely to dominate discussions. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a vocal critic of the operations, has condemned the deaths as “extrajudicial executions” and highlighted the involvement of Colombian citizens among the victims. The summit represents a critical opportunity for regional leaders to address the contentious issue of U.S. military deployment, particularly as the United States is not a participant in the event. Brazilian President Lula’s unexpected attendance underscores the summit’s importance, with Brazil’s Foreign Ministry noting that discussions on U.S. military actions in Venezuela and the Caribbean are inevitable. Lula has urged Latin American nations to prevent conflict in Venezuela, drawing parallels to past U.S. involvement in regional peace efforts. The summit’s outcomes remain uncertain, but it serves as a platform for frank dialogue on pressing regional and global challenges.
Summit of EU, Latin America and Caribbean nations aims to strengthen ties amid US military operation
