The European Union reaffirmed this Sunday its commitment to International Law and condemned the recent military attacks by the United States in the Caribbean, during the IV Summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the EU, held in Santa Marta, Colombia.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, expressed that the use of force can only be justified by self-defense or by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
European position and regional context
Kallas, who heads the European delegation at the meeting, stressed that the EU maintains a “clear position” regarding US military operations against alleged drug boats in Caribbean waters.
“Under international law, force can only be used for two reasons: for self-defense or following a resolution of the United Nations Security Council,” he stated.
Delegations from more than 40 countries, including heads of state and representatives of 20 international organizations, are discussing a joint declaration that could include an explicit condemnation of Washington’s actions, which have left more than 70 dead and have been classified as extrajudicial executions by humanitarian organizations.
Celac–EU Summit: integration, peace and sovereignty
The IV Celac-EU Summit takes place amid growing geopolitical tensions in the region, with calls to preserve Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. Leaders like Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Maduro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have warned about the resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine and the risk of militarization on the continent.
The event also addresses topics such as climate change, economic cooperation, human rights and the energy transition, in an effort to strengthen multilateralism and bi-regional integration.
The final declaration is in the negotiation phase, with emphasis on the defense of sovereignty and the rejection of unilateral interventions.
