The European Union seeks closer cooperation with Latin American countries in the fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and corruption. At a summit meeting of heads of state and government EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in the coastal city of Santa Marta, Colombia, a new security alliance will be agreed, according to information from the dpa news agency. This provides closer coordination between the police, judicial authorities and customs.
A joint investigative approach, tighter controls on financial flows and mechanisms for the repatriation of illegal assets across national borders are planned. In addition, cooperation in the fields of law enforcement and information exchange must be expanded. The fight against smuggling networks, human trafficking and environmental crimes must also be strengthened.
Colombia supplies medicines to Europe
Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine producer. From there, most drugs are smuggled through Central America and the Caribbean to the United States and Europe.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in her speech at the summit that through cooperation we can do more to protect citizens on both sides. There are also plans to expand the EU’s program for sea lane protection. This will strengthen the ability to exchange information and fight together crime to continue at sea.
The list of participants is thinning
Apart from Kallas, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, European Union Council President António Costa, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also took part in the meeting. Germany was represented by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) who had to switch to scheduled flights at short notice due to aircraft defects.
Several prominent heads of state and government canceled their participation – including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the presidents of France, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
US military operations overshadowed the meeting
The summit was overshadowed by tensions between the United States and countries in the region. US attacks on vessels belonging to suspected drug smugglers Latin America and the deployment of US warships to the Caribbean sparked fears of a major military conflict in the region.
The US accused summit host Gustavo Petro of a lack of resolve in fighting drug cartels and recently imposed sanctions on the Colombian president. There was speculation in Latin American media that several heads of state and government did not attend the meeting to avoid taking a stand on the sensitive issue.
