Indirect criticism of the United States for its military actions in the Caribbean and its trade and migration policy was the closing declaration of the fourth EU-CELAC summit, which brought together 58 countries of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The document also sent a message to Venezuela and Nicaragua, advocating “free and transparent elections” – representatives of both countries did not sign the joint text.
Without mentioning the Americans, the statement calls for “maritime security and regional stability in the Caribbean,” where Donald Trump’s government has bombed ships accused of links to drug trafficking. The latest was announced by the Pentagon on Monday (10), with 6 dead – and counting these victims, there are already 75 people who died in attacks on boats launched by US forces.
The text stated: “We reaffirm our adherence to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, in particular sovereign equality among states, respect for territorial integrity and political independence, non-interference in affairs that essentially fall within the scope of the internal jurisdiction of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. We reiterate our opposition to the threat or use of force.”
At 52 points, the document also stresses the need for democracy and multilateral dialogue, refers to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, and proposes reform of the UN Security Council “to make it more representative” (a point that is of particular importance to Brazil, which wants to be a permanent member of this body). Uruguay, which holds the next rotating presidency of the summit, must now propose a “road map”, including practical measures for cooperation in areas such as climate action, the energy transition, and combating organized crime.
The US offensive in the Caribbean was the dominant theme of many of the statements made by leaders before and during the summit, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party) took aim in his speech at the meeting: “The threat of military force has once again become part of daily life in Latin America and the Caribbean. Old rhetorical maneuvers are being recycled to justify illegal interventions. Democracies do not fight crime in violation of international law.”
However, it was the paragraph on the topic that received the most reservations among participants: seven countries, including Argentina, Costa Rica and Ecuador, distanced themselves on the point.
Also, the government of Liberal President Javier Miley did not support the paragraphs related to supporting the end of the embargo imposed on Cuba. Commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict between Gaza and Israel; Advocating for ethical governance of AI and combating misinformation on social media; He mentions gender equality policies and sustainability, all topics dear to the White House, with which the Argentines are negotiating a financial rescue.
The two blocs’ final declaration also addresses the United States, without mentioning it, in the chapter on trade, which addresses “trade tensions” that must be eased in order to “facilitate international trade and improve market access,” and advocates a “rules-based” multilateral negotiating system that is “open, transparent, inclusive, non-discriminatory and predictable, with the World Trade Organization at its core.”
The text also calls for “regular, safe and orderly migration” in accordance with international law and explicitly mentions “returns”, in reference to Trump’s migrant deportation policy.
Regarding countries experiencing internal political conflicts, such as Venezuela and Nicaragua, the declaration, without naming countries, expresses “a firm commitment to democracy, including free, inclusive, transparent and credible elections.”
The final declaration was considered surprisingly broad after a summit marked by the absence of leaders, which reflects internal conflicts and the political and economic effects of President Donald Trump’s actions.
From Latin America, only Colombian host Gustavo Petro and Lula himself participated. Mexico, Chile and Uruguay sent their foreign ministers. Argentina, Paraguay and Peru were represented by lower-ranking officials.
From the European Union, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders of the main countries in the bloc – French President Emmanuel Macron, German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni – were absent. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis Montenegro, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, in addition to the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
“Latin America and the Caribbean are going through a profound crisis in their integration project,” Lula said in his speech at the beginning of the conference. “We have become, once again, a divided and divided region, more outward-looking than inward-looking. We once again live under the threat of political extremism, media manipulation and organized crime. As a result, we move from meeting to meeting, full of ideas and initiatives that often never come to fruition. Our summits have become empty rituals, with the absence of regional leaders.” “The important ones.” dome.
In contrast, Costa, who represented the European Union at the event, said at the end: “Although we have here countries with very different ideological orientations, we have been able to reach a common position on the most important issues of the moment.”
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