Latin American states want to strengthen ties and intensify cooperation with China
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Celac was founded in Caracas in 2011 under the leadership of the then Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Brazilian President Lula da Silva – without the participation of the USA and Canada. It has since become far more important than the OAS, the Organization of American States, which was founded in Washington in 1949 and was dominated by the USA for decades. Those days are probably over for good.
gl. The 9th summit of the Celac states, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, took place in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, at the beginning of April. Of the 33 member states, representatives from 30 countries took part, including the heads of government of Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Cuba, Uruguay and Guatemala. This meant that the meeting was attended by high-ranking representatives. At a time of growing tensions within international relations, there was a consensus that regional cooperation must be strengthened in the face of global challenges. The President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, emphasised in her opening speech as host: “We cannot continue to march separately while the USA redraws its economic map without asking ourselves which countries are being left behind.” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed convening a summit for the prosperity of Latin America. She emphasised her close cooperation with Brazilian President Lula da Silva: “Brazil and Mexico play a key role economically. We can complement each other in many areas, especially in the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.” The well-being of Latin America and the Caribbean must be the common goal. For his part, Lula suggested that the Celac should put forward a joint candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General.
At the end of the meeting, the “Tegucigalpa Declaration” was adopted by 30 of the 33 member states. The declaration rejects the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that contravene international law, and thus implicitly rejects the severe economic sanctions imposed by the USA on Cuba and Venezuela, which are still in force. Latin America and the Caribbean are a region of peace that promotes multilateralism, democracy and respect for sovereignty. Only Argentina, Paraguay and Nicaragua did not support the declaration for various reasons.
Colombia is now taking over the pro-tempore presidency of the Celac for one year. Gustavo Petro, the President of Colombia and new Celac President, also emphasised the importance of cooperation. “We are not just peoples, we are peoples who help each other. Help is the key word, help and cooperation.” An important project during his term of office would be to connect Latin America and the Caribbean with the whole world. He wants to talk to China, India, Africa, the Arab world and Europe. It is also necessary to develop a strategy for Haiti and to strengthen its democracy. The US economic blockade against Cuba and Venezuela must also be overcome.
High-level
Celac-China meeting planned
A high-level meeting between Celac and China is already planned for 13 May in Beijing. In addition to Gustavo Petro, who represents Celac, other heads of government from Latin American countries will be attending. Colombia, a close ally of the USA for decades, wants to open up space for new alliances to develop its economy and infrastructure. Cooperation with China has great strategic value and is a high priority. Various Latin American countries want to diversify their international relations and explore new economic opportunities.
State visit by Boric to Brazil
Around a dozen bilateral agreements were signed during a state visit by Chilean President Gabriel Boric to Brazil. Lula and Boric sharply criticised the US president’s tariff policy: “We have a US president who is now pursuing a protectionist policy, in complete contrast to what we have been told since the 1980s: Globalisation and free trade”. Boric emphasised the great importance of the ties between the two countries, especially at a time when multilateralism and friendship between peoples are being called into question. Both presidents addressed the huge project of the corridor between the two oceans, which has been under consideration for more than ten years but has never progressed beyond initial planning. A road network of over 2,400 km in length is to connect the south of Brazil, the Chaco in Paraguay and the Argentinian provinces of Salta and Jujuy with the Chilean ports of Antofagasta, Mejillones and Iquique. This corridor would also be a connection/link between the Atlantic and Pacific, representing a particular value for trade.
China could contribute to its financing. Lula said in front of journalists that he did not want a cold war and did not want to decide between the USA and China. He recommended Boric to build closer ties with Beijing and invited him to the next BRICS meeting. •
Sources: https://www.pagina12.com.ar/817302-celac-se-rearma-en-guatemala of 11 April.2025; https://www.pagina12.com.ar/817558-china-prepara-un-encuentro-con-la-celac of 12 April.2025; https://www.pagina12.com.ar/820158-lula-y-boric-rechazaron-la-politica-comercial-de-trump of 23 April.2025
