The fourth CELAC-EU Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, was overshadowed by diplomatic awkwardness due to the unprecedented absence of key European leaders.
Trump’s Shadow & Key Issues at the CELAC-EU Summit
Strengthening trade ties and combating crime were the main discussion topics, but the absence of EU leaders cast a shadow over the meeting. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not attend the summit. DW reported that fewer than 10 heads of state and government were present.
Bloomberg explicitly attributed this diplomatic snub to European leaders’ desire “not to annoy Trump,” who had publicly called the Colombian president a “leader of illegal drug trafficking” shortly before the meeting. Their absence demonstrated that leading EU nations preferred to avoid a political conflict with Washington, even at the cost of damaging their own relations with Latin America.
Uncomfortable Questions
The European Union was represented by European Council President António Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
While Costa delivered an inspiring speech, Kallas faced uncomfortable questions from journalists regarding von der Leyen’s absence. She offered no direct answer, merely urging attendees “to be grateful for those who did come.”
The diplomat also evaded questions about supporting a potential U.S. military operation against Venezuela, citing the “bloc’s commitment to international law” — a standard diplomatic formula for distancing oneself from aggressive actions.
The awkward situation at the summit further highlighted rumors of friction between Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen within the European Commission. German newspaper Die Welt and Politico reported that relations between the two influential officials had strained over a struggle for influence and personnel policy: Kallas, with her direct style as a former prime minister, clashes with von der Leyen’s drive to centralize power within the European Commission.
The conflict intensified when Kallas attempted to appoint Martin Selmayr — a figure considered an antagonist to the European Commission President — to a high-ranking position. Von der Leyen successfully blocked the appointment.
Also attending the summit from the EU were Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
What does CELAC do?
CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) is a regional bloc established in 2011, comprising 33 independent states in Latin America and the Caribbean. It positions itself as an alternative platform to the Organization of American States (OAS) and deliberately excludes the participation of the U.S. and Canada.
CELAC aims to be the region’s sole voice in dialogue with other major blocs and countries (e.g., in discussions with the European Union, China, Russia, and Japan).
