BOGOTA, Colombia\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Representatives of European, Latin American and Caribbean nations began a two-day summit Sunday in Colombia to try to strengthen ties despite questions on the gathering\u2019s relevance and divisions in the Western Hemisphere over the U.S. military attacks on alleged drug-carrying vessels.<\/p>\n
Colombian officials have indicated they will seek the signing of a declaration on renewable energy, food security, financing and technological cooperation at the end of the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the European Union. <\/p>\n
The deadly U.S. operation, however, will likely become a key point of discussion. Colombian President Gustavo Petro is among its strongest critics. <\/p>\n
The U.S. strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific have killed more than 60 people since September. Petro has called the deaths \u201cextrajudicial executions\u201d and has identified at least one of the killed as a Colombian citizen. One of two known survivors of the attacks is also Colombian.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are we doing with this meeting in today\u2019s world amidst missiles?\u201d Petro asked attendees in his inaugural remarks after mentioning the war in Gaza and the American strikes obliterating the vessels. He then added that his wish was for the summit \u201cto be a beacon of light amidst the barbarity.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the relevance of the summit in the northern Colombia city of Santa Marta has come into question because of the absence of heads of state and senior officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. <\/p>\n
Colombia\u2019s Foreign Ministry has attributed the issue to scheduling conflicts with the United Nations climate summit in Brazil this week and has sought to downplay concerns by highlighting the presence of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez and Brazilian President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva.<\/p>\n
Following Petro\u2019s remarks, some leaders highlighted the increase in trade between the regions and joint progress in digital connectivity programs, the green transition, social development and artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe choose dialogue, not division; we choose cooperation, not confrontation; we choose partnership, not isolation. And in this multipolar world of ours, what is needed is a multilateral response,\u201d European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa said without mentioning the attacks on the vessels. <\/p>\n
Lula surprised observers Wednesday by announcing that he would attend the summit even though Brazil was hosting the COP30 climate conference. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told reporters that Lula\u2019s decision to attend the summit in Colombia reflects regional solidarity with Venezuela.<\/p>\n
Brazilian Ambassador Gisela Padovan, secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, said Thursday that addressing President Trump\u2019s threats of military action against Venezuela and recent boat strikes in the Caribbean would be a natural topic at the summit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear that the topic will come up, because the Venezuelan delegation will bring it up,\u201d Padovan said. However, she didn\u2019t tell reporters whether the gathering\u2019s final statement would include the issue.<\/p>\n
Lula has urged Latin American nations to help prevent conflict in Venezuela. On Tuesday, he told reporters that he had also urged Trump during their meeting last month in Malaysia to follow the example of former President George W. Bush, who participated in efforts to pacify Venezuela following a 2002 coup attempt against then-President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told Trump that Latin America is a region of peace,\u201d Lula said.<\/p>\n