The 4th EU-CELAC Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia opened with Antonio Costa stressing that multilateral dialogue and bi-regional cooperation are essential in a multipolar world.

Costa, as European Council president, framed the summit around building the future through cooperation rather than confrontation or isolation.

He underscored that progress hinges on sustained dialogue and collaboration between the EU and CELAC, even amid ideological differences among roughly 60 participating countries.

Separately, the U.S. says it sunk 17 drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, an action Colombia and Venezuela call extrajudicial killings.

A new two-year roadmap, a fresh package of concrete projects, and a joint declaration are expected to be approved at the summit to advance ongoing collaboration.

Portugal highlights initiatives like the Global Gateway, aiming to boost smart, clean, and secure links and to strengthen health, education, and research across the world, with EU investments exceeding €306 billion (2021-2024).

Brazil signals concern over U.S. military deployments near Venezuelan waters and frames Lula da Silva’s attendance as regional solidarity with Venezuela.

The EU-CELAC bloc comprises 33 CELAC countries and 27 EU member states, together representing about 14% of the world population and around a fifth of global GDP.

The meeting seeks to consolidate a joint EU-CELAC strategy, building on more than €31 billion mobilized across 100-plus projects in areas like connectivity, energy transition, climate, and social inclusion.

Notable absences at the summit include Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz, and Emmanuel Macron, reflecting diplomatic tensions surrounding the event.

Portugal emphasizes its proactive international role and hopes the summit will align EU, CELAC, and U.S. positions toward a more stable regional relationship.

Costa identified major shared threats to address collectively, including climate change, threats to democracy, rising inequality, and the rule of law and human rights, all within the framework of international law.