A staggering death toll is haunting the EU-CELAC summit in Colombia, with the 60-plus fatalities from a US military operation becoming the event’s unavoidable and tragic focal point. This deadly campaign, targeting alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since September, has become a humanitarian and political crisis that is completely overshadowing the summit’s diplomatic goals.
The host of the summit, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has refused to let the issue be ignored. He has repeatedly cited the high casualty count in his public condemnations, branding the deaths as “extrajudicial executions.” The issue is personal for his nation, as at least one Colombian citizen is confirmed dead, and another is one of only two known survivors, giving Colombia a unique and somber authority on the matter.
This grim reality is colliding with the summit’s official, more optimistic agenda. Colombian officials are still formally pushing for the “Declaration of Santa Marta,” a comprehensive agreement on renewable energy, food security, and technological cooperation. However, it is difficult to discuss future-facing policies when a current, deadly crisis is unfolding in the region’s waters.
The summit is also dealing with a crisis of attendance, as key European leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Friedrich Merz have opted to stay away. This has led to questions about the meeting’s relevance, though the host government has blamed “scheduling conflicts” with a UN climate summit. The presence of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Lula is being emphasized to lend the event a ‘gravitas’ it might otherwise lack.
Brazilian officials have confirmed that the US military’s actions—both the deadly boat strikes and separate threats against Venezuela—will be a “natural topic” of discussion. Lula, in particular, has been pushing a peace-oriented agenda, recently telling US President Donald Trump that Latin America is a “region of peace.” This sentiment will likely be amplified by other leaders disturbed by the high death toll.