Foreign ministers back Venezuela, highlight unity, and advance planning for EU summit.
On Monday, foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) convened in New York during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen multilateralism and reaffirm the region as a Zone of Peace amid U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea and threats against Venezuela, reports 24brussels.
Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio, holding CELAC’s pro tempore presidency, led the meeting aimed at unifying the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean around principles of peaceful coexistence, cooperation, integration, and mutual respect among nations.
The principal agenda item was a rejection of the U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean Sea. The ministers also discussed critical regional issues, including energy transition, food security, risk management, and migration.
During his address, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil condemned the presence of U.S. naval vessels and a nuclear submarine, describing it as a threat to the peace and stability of the entire region, not just Venezuela. Gil thanked CELAC member states for their solidarity and stressed the importance of unity in defending the Zone of Peace established in 2014 in Cuba by most CELAC members.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez reiterated his country’s commitment to collaborating with CELAC to promote progress on issues vital to regional development and the well-being of its peoples.
Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira voiced their concern regarding foreign military interference. De la Fuente emphasized that Latin America must remain a territory of peace, grounded in respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.
The ministers also advanced planning for the upcoming fourth CELAC-European Union Summit, scheduled for November 9–10. They expressed strong support for the summit and the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Santa Marta Declaration.
Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa affirmed her nation’s solidarity with the Venezuelan government and people, as well as with Palestine, advocating for peace, sovereignty, and dignity. “Putting a bounty on the capture of a constitutional president is an affront to democracy and sovereignty. Filling our seas with warships is a colonialist action we cannot accept,” she stated, condemning U.S. harassment measures against Venezuela.
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Martinez thanked Colombia’s pro tempore presidency for organizing the meeting and highlighted advancements on the 2025 Work Plan, which he deemed crucial for steering a practical and results-oriented regional agenda. He stressed the importance of CELAC’s internal cohesion, political coordination, and consensus-building.
The CELAC meeting also tackled other pressing matters, including the situation in Haiti, with ministers reaffirming their commitment to the well-being of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.