Leaders of several European countries are absent from the Latin American summit, concerned that U.S. pressure may affect regional stability.

Several European leaders will be absent from the EU-Latin America and Caribbean (CELAC) summit to be held this month in Santa Marta, Colombia, partly due to concerns about provoking Trump. Sources said that as Washington increases pressure on countries such as Colombia and Venezuela by citing drug trafficking, the summit is being questioned within Europe. Only five European and three Latin American and Caribbean leaders have confirmed their attendance. German Chancellor Merkel and European Commission President von der Leyen have decided to skip the event, citing "limited number of participating leaders" and "a heavy European political agenda," and will be represented by EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. Recently, Trump has issued more military threats against Venezuela and imposed sanctions on Colombian President Petro, escalating regional tensions. Latin American countries plan to discuss U.S. actions in the region at this summit and push for EU support for candidates from Latin America or the Caribbean for the next UN Secretary-General.

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