The meeting between European and Latin American leaders in Santa Marta, Colombia, is set to become a significant geopolitical chess match, with the United States as the invisible player. While the summit’s stated goal is to strengthen EU-CELAC ties, the opening moves are being dictated by two major US military postures: a deadly anti-drug operation in the Caribbean and separate military threats against Venezuela. These actions have set a confrontational tone before the first handshake.
The summit’s host, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has already positioned his pieces, fiercely condemning the anti-drug operation that has killed over 60 people. By calling the deaths “extrajudicial executions” and highlighting the Colombian victims, Petro has issued a direct challenge. This stance is a “priority for several regional leaders,” according to policy experts, who see this as a rare chance to form a unified critique.
Into this tense arena steps Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose surprise attendance is a strategic power move. His foreign ministry has openly declared his visit as an act of “regional solidarity with Venezuela,” directly countering threats from US President Donald Trump. Lula is also engaging in direct diplomacy, having recently urged Trump in Malaysia to pursue peace, reminding him that “Latin America is a region of peace.”
The European Union’s side of the board looks comparatively weak. The absence of top-tier players like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been glaring. While Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is present, the low turnout has led to questions about the EU’s commitment to the region, leaving the Latin American bloc to dominate the game.
Therefore, the official agenda—the signing of the “Declaration of Santa Marta” on renewable energy and technology—is effectively a sideshow. The real game is the formulation of a unified Latin American response to US military actions. Experts note that the US’s absence from the summit is the key variable, allowing for a “frank” discussion that could check Washington’s influence.
