CELAC-EU Summit Urges Peace as Venezuela’s Maduro Warns of Caribbean ‘War Threats’

The Fourth Summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU), held in Santa Marta, Colombia, on November 9-10, 2025, concluded with a strong call for peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law, all against the backdrop of escalating regional security concerns. Co-chaired by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the CELAC Pro Tempore President, and European Council President António Costa, the meeting sought to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two blocs. Amidst the formal diplomatic efforts, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a stern warning regarding mounting military threats in the Caribbean, highlighting the complex security dynamic framing the bi-regional agenda.

The joint communiqué underscored a commitment to multilateralism and the rejection of the threat or use of force, a principle directly responsive to recent tensions. However, the summit was shadowed by the context of increased United States military activity near Venezuelan territory and recent lethal strikes against small vessels in the Caribbean, which Maduro demanded be investigated and condemned. The convergence of these governmental and civil society messages signaled a unified regional insistence on sovereignty and non-intervention.

The Social Movement Summit’s Complementary Stance

Running parallel to the high-level governmental talks, a crucial summit of social movements convened, producing its own declaration that mirrored and, in some ways, reinforced the political messages from the official plenary. This parallel gathering, involving representatives of various non-governmental organizations, unions, and grassroots advocates, framed the joint work between governments and peoples as the “first line of defense” for continental sovereignty.

A Declaration of Continental Sovereignty from Civil Society

The social movement gathering positioned its mobilization as a step toward actively defending the American landmass as a Zone of Peace, directly echoing the government’s invocation of the principle. This convergence of political and social voices indicated a broad national consensus, suggesting that the resistance to perceived external aggression was not merely a state policy but a widely held sentiment among the populace and civil society organizations that represent them. The social movement’s declaration was specifically noted for its inclusion of themes such as fighting for migrant rights and against gender-based discrimination, showing a broader interpretation of sovereignty that includes social justice as an internal component of security and autonomy.

Solidarity with Palestine and the Struggle Against Imperialism

The social movement’s statement broadened the ideological scope of the gathering beyond immediate hemispheric security concerns, explicitly including a declaration of solidarity with the Palestinian people. This act linked the local struggle against perceived foreign domination in the Americas with broader global anti-imperialist movements. By drawing this parallel, the civil society organizations framed the current security crisis in the Caribbean not as an isolated incident, but as another manifestation of the same global structures of power and dominance that they have historically opposed. The declaration’s explicit language condemning “imperialist threats” served to label the perceived external military pressure in stark, unambiguous terms, providing a powerful, values-based critique that complemented the more formally diplomatic language adopted by the government leaders in their joint communiqué. This social affirmation amplified the moral weight behind the political calls for dialogue and adherence to international norms, grounding the summit’s outcomes in a deeper, long-standing tradition of continental solidarity against perceived hegemony.

Implications for Future Bi-Regional Diplomacy

The discussions and final texts consistently returned to the foundational elements intended to sustain the long-term relationship between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. These foundations were identified as shared values and mutual interests, specifically citing the desire for resilient, inclusive, and democratic societies.

The Role of Shared Values in Sustaining the Partnership

The commitment to the promotion, protection, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, coupled with an emphasis on the rule of law and the conduct of free and transparent elections, served as the non-negotiable pillars upon which all other cooperation was to be built. In an era where democratic norms are under strain globally, the explicit joint reaffirmation of these principles was crucial. It provided a clear benchmark against which future bilateral and multilateral engagements between the two blocs would be measured. This collective commitment to liberal democratic principles serves as the essential political glue, allowing the partnership to navigate areas of economic disagreement while maintaining a strong, shared philosophical orientation in the broader international arena. The commitment to maintaining this shared value system is seen as the most durable mechanism for weathering future geopolitical storms and ensuring the relationship remains strategic and principled.

The partnership roadmap adopted at the summit outlined concrete actions across diverse sectors, including trade, climate, energy, digital transformation, food security, health, education, research, and culture. A key development was the launch of a Bi-regional Pact on Care, establishing a platform for structured discussions on strengthening care systems, addressing gender equality, and improving conditions for care providers. Furthermore, significant financial commitments were made under the Global Gateway initiative, with €6.86 billion designated to fund 24 projects aimed at building a cleaner, more efficient, and better-connected regional power network.

The Continued Importance of Institutional Dialogue Mechanisms

The summit underscored the value of established institutional dialogues beyond the primary head-of-state meeting. The acknowledgment and welcome extended to the ongoing work of the International Foundation connecting Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted the importance of the quiet, sustained work of bodies dedicated to fostering bi-regional dialogue outside the immediate pressures of political crises. The EU-LAC Foundation’s strategic publications were noted for their role in enriching the summit discussions.

Furthermore, the involvement of public banks, such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), in structuring financing for strategic infrastructure demonstrated a practical, forward-looking commitment to building tangible links between the regions. The EIB, alongside development finance institutions, is actively promoting the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, prioritizing climate action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The launch of an EU-LAC Supercomputing Network for AI, linking regional centers with initial EU, Spanish, and Brazilian funding, exemplifies the focus on digital cooperation.

By engaging specialized financial and cultural institutions, the leaders ensured that the partnership possesses the operational machinery necessary to implement the ambitious goals set forth in the final declarations, even when political climates shift. The focus on continued engagement through ministerial meetings and business forums, even in the shadow of security crises—like the recent tensions surrounding Venezuela—signals an institutional maturity, recognizing that the relationship is too vital to be held hostage solely by immediate security flashpoints. The success of this framework relies on the continuous, dedicated function of these various technical and diplomatic channels, ensuring that cooperation remains the default mode of interaction across the vast array of shared interests.