Europe EU wants to take stronger action against crime with Latin America
The European Union is seeking closer cooperation with Latin American countries in the fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and corruption. According to the German Press Agency, a new security alliance is to be agreed at the summit meeting of heads of state and government from the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in the Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta. This provides for closer coordination between police, judicial and customs authorities.
09.11.2025, 20:53
SDA
Joint investigative approaches, stricter controls on financial flows and mechanisms for the repatriation of illegal assets across national borders are planned. Cooperation in criminal prosecution and the exchange of information is also to be expanded. The fight against smuggling networks, human trafficking and environmental crime is also to be stepped up.
Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine. A large proportion of the drugs are smuggled from there via Central America and the Caribbean to the United States and Europe.
In a speech at the summit, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said that more could be done to protect citizens on both sides by working together. There are also plans to expand an EU program for the protection of sea routes. This would strengthen the ability to exchange information and take joint action against crime at sea.
Thinned-out list of participants
In addition to Kallas, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, EU Council President António Costa and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are also taking 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 an aircraft malfunction.
Several leading heads of state and government canceled their participation - including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the presidents of France, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
US military operations overshadow the meeting
At the summit, host Gustavo Petro addressed the recent US military operations in the Caribbean. In recent weeks, US forces have repeatedly sunk speedboats belonging to suspected drug traffickers, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people.
Washington accuses Petro of a lack of determination in the fight against the drug cartels and recently imposed sanctions against the Colombian president. Latin American media speculated that several heads of state and government stayed away from the meeting in order to avoid having to take a stance on the sensitive issue.
