EU and Latin America Summit in Colombia Amid U.S. Military Strikes

UPDATE: A critical summit of European, Latin American, and Caribbean nations is underway in Santa Marta, Colombia, as representatives seek to strengthen regional ties amidst escalating tensions from recent U.S. military strikes. The two-day meeting commenced on October 15, 2023, just as questions about its significance arise in light of the ongoing violence in the Caribbean.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has emerged as a vocal critic of the U.S. operations, which have reportedly killed over 60 people since September. In his opening remarks, he expressed deep concerns about the impact of these military actions, dubbing the casualties “extrajudicial executions.” He highlighted the need for dialogue, stating, “What are we doing with this meeting in today’s world amidst missiles?”

The summit aims to culminate in a declaration addressing renewable energy, food security, financing, and technological cooperation. However, the absence of notable leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Friedrich Merz has raised doubts about its overall relevance. Colombian officials attribute this to scheduling conflicts with the ongoing COP30 climate conference in Brazil.

Despite these setbacks, the summit features prominent attendees such as Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian President, who surprised many by attending despite Brazil’s hosting of the climate summit. Lula’s presence underscores a show of regional solidarity, particularly regarding the situation in Venezuela, which is expected to be a focal point of discussions.

As the summit progresses, officials are likely to address both economic cooperation and the implications of U.S. military actions. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira noted that Lula’s participation signals a commitment to regional peace and cooperation, emphasizing that topics like military threats and recent boat strikes will be addressed. “It’s clear that the topic will come up, because the Venezuelan delegation will bring it up,” said Gisela Padovan, Brazil’s Ambassador for Latin America and the Caribbean.

With the absence of the United States as a participant, experts believe this summit represents a rare opportunity for leaders to candidly discuss military deployment issues. Alexander Main, from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, pointed out that this could pave the way for more open dialogue on pressing regional concerns.

The ongoing violence in the Caribbean, attributed to U.S. operations against alleged drug-traffickers, has drawn scrutiny. An Associated Press investigation revealed that many victims included impoverished fishermen, challenging the narrative presented by U.S. officials that these strikes targeted narco-terrorists.

The urgency of fostering cooperation at this summit cannot be overstated, especially in light of recent global crises. As President Petro called for a “beacon of light amidst the barbarity,” the international community watches closely to see how regional leaders will respond to these pressing challenges.

As discussions unfold over the next day, the focus will remain on ensuring that the summit can deliver actionable outcomes for the people of Latin America and the Caribbean, while addressing the looming shadow of U.S. military involvement in the region.