LEADERS from Latin American, Caribbean and European Union nations began a two-day summit in Colombia on Sunday to try to strengthen ties.

The summit is being held amid tensions and divisions in the Western Hemisphere over the heightened United States military presence in the region.

Colombian officials have indicated that they will seek the signing of a declaration on renewable energy, food security, financing and technological co-operation at the end of the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the European Union.

The deadly US operation, however, will likely become a key point of discussion as Colombian President Gustavo Petro is among its strongest critics.

The US strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific have killed more than 60 people since September.

President Petro has called the deaths “extrajudicial executions” and has identified at least one of the killed as a Colombian citizen. One of two known survivors of the attacks is also Colombian.

“What are we doing with this meeting in today’s world amid missiles?” Petro asked attendees in his inaugural remarks after mentioning the war in Gaza and the strikes obliterating the vessels.

He then added that his wish was for the summit “to be a beacon of light amid the barbarity.”

Following President Petro’s remarks, some leaders highlighted the increase in trade between the regions and joint progress in digital connectivity programmes, the green transition, social development and artificial intelligence.

“We choose dialogue, not division. We choose co-operation, not confrontation. We choose partnership, not isolation. And in this multipolar world of ours, what is needed is a multilateral response,” said European Council President Antonio Costa.

Lula surprised observers on Wednesday by announcing that he would attend the summit even though Brazil was hosting the Cop30 climate conference.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told reporters that Lula’s decision to attend the summit in Colombia reflects regional solidarity with Venezuela.