The emptying of the EU-CELAC Summit in Santa Marta reveals Europe’s fear of countering Washington’s aggressive agenda for Latin America, sacrificing bi-regional cooperation
What should have been a historic moment of cooperation between two continents turned into a portrait of disdain and subservience. The Summit between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), scheduled for November 9th and 10th in Santa Marta, Colombia, collapsed before it even started. The reason, according to diplomatic sources, is a veiled and embarrassing boycott: the main European leaders fear of irritating the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
The list of absences is headed by leading figures from Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, two pillars of the bloc’s policy, decided not to attend.
The reason for European fear is Washington’s increasingly belligerent stance in the region. The summit in Colombia was already under scrutiny from the White House, which openly targets countries like Venezuela and the host nation itself. The Trump administration has intensified its military threats against Venezuela and, in a recent act of clear interference in regional sovereignty, sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
It is in this scenario of explicit pressure that Europe chooses to omit. Low adherence is a direct symptom of this political choice. Sources familiar with the summit’s planning confirm a bleak scenario: only five European leaders and a measly three Latin American and Caribbean leaders have confirmed their presence at the meeting. A resounding diplomatic failure, where Washington’s shadow proved greater than Brussels’ autonomy.
When asked about Friedrich Merz’s absence, his spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, resorted to a formal, almost circular statement to justify the decision. In a note sent by email, Kornelius stated that the chancellor does not plan to attend due to the “low participation of other heads of state and government”. The statement conveniently ignores that the absence of leaders of Merz’s weight is, precisely, the central cause of the emptying he alleges.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU and led by Von der Leyen, adopted an even more revealing stance: silence. No spokesperson immediately responded to requests for comment on the summit’s abandonment.
What is lost with this maneuver is the opportunity to debate the future of a relationship that, on paper, is colossal. Together, the 50 EU and CELAC countries represent 21% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On the official agenda, now empty, were crucial topics such as strengthening commercial relations and joint strategies to combat organized crime.
This is not an isolated incident, but part of a trend of US-driven regional destabilization. Political turmoil is growing. On Monday, the Dominican Republic announced the postponement of another important meeting of leaders from across America, which would have been held in the country. The reason? The escalation of tensions with Venezuela, exacerbated by US military attacks against vessels in the region, which divides the continent.
Ironically, while the EU turns its back on direct dialogue in Santa Marta, its bureaucrats in Brussels are racing against time. The European Union still hopes to finalize the trade agreement with Mercosur, the bloc of South American nations, by the end of the year. It remains to be seen whether there will be any political capital or mutual trust left to sign agreements with partners who have just been passed over in favor of Donald Trump’s aggressive agenda.
With information from Bloomberg*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/11/04/europa-curva-se-a-trump-e-abandona-a-america-latina/
