Santa Marta / PNN /
Leaders and representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries, along with the European Union, held a summit in the city of Santa Marta (northern Colombia) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two continents.
The final statement of the summit — which opened on Sunday and included participation from 33 countries, presided over by Colombian President Gustavo Petro — confirmed agreement to enhance relations amid challenges in the international system, emphasizing the rejection of the use of force and interference in internal affairs, and affirming the importance of peaceful conflict resolution.
Reports indicated that during the summit, European and Latin American leaders were expected to agree on the formation of a new security alliance aimed at enhancing cooperation against drug trafficking, organized crime, and corruption.
This alliance is part of joint efforts to coordinate the work of police, judicial, and customs authorities. Proposed plans include developing joint investigation protocols, tightening oversight of financial flows, and establishing mechanisms for the cross-border return of illegal assets.
The summit also addressed expanding cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, combating human trafficking networks, and environmental issues.
In her speech, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, emphasized that joint action would strengthen the protection of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.
Borrell also highlighted the EU’s expanded program for protecting maritime routes, which provides greater capacity for information sharing and combating crime at sea.
The summit saw the participation of several leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, European Council President António Costa, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
However, several heads of state and government were absent, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the leaders of Germany, France, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Media speculation suggested their absence was intended to avoid involvement in debates over recent U.S. military operations in the Caribbean.
During the summit, President Petro raised the issue of U.S. operations that resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, in what Washington describes as targeting drug-smuggling boats, amid accusations that the Colombian president has been lenient toward those criminal networks.
